Gladiator post #12 4-26-2015

POST #12 July 26, 2015 

Standing in worship this morning, I met God, I felt his heart and his Love. Many times, while in that place of peace and refilling, my mind becomes clear and focused. Things that are on my heart, get felt by God and he gives me words of love and courage. He reminds me that he IS. 

Sometimes, I soak it in and sometimes I feel the need to write. I wrote this down. Usually it hits home with another person as I know God uses each of us to lift the other. So this is what I felt this morning.

"There's something about stepping into the adoption process that thrusts you into this big arena of faith!
I picture myself as a Gladiator contending for the promise of another. The promise of a family. The promise of no longer being lonely but being set into a family. (Ps.68:6) In this arena, we are going up against the fury of death and destruction. The circumstances at times look dreary and harsh. I know having traveled this road before that there may times that look hopeless and I may start to fear loss. But through it all, I know that I am fearless, because I know Love wins. I cannot walk out of this arena a loser. There is another I am fighting for. 

Maria wrote this the other day on our driveway. 

Duane took a photo of it. It says, "Nothing can stop me from God's Love"

When I think how He loves that little child, my heart bursts with that same love. A Love way beyond me. beyond my capacity. A Love that is more powerful than death. A Love that is backed by all of the forces of heaven. A Love that carries hope and joy. A Love that brings life and restores. So here I go. I am ready. Open the gates. I will contend. I will persevere for the one. Oh, how he loves them! Oh how he loves us! And for that reason no power of hell can stop me. Who can stand against us, if God be for us! (Romans 8) The champion of heaven is fighting for us.  He's made a way for a child to enter in to a family where forever resides. He makes me brave! "

Here We Go Again! Adoption Journeys 11 and 12!

Just when we are getting down to 5 kids at home, God is increasing our family size! LOL! We have not done a home study in about 7 years so I feel like a complete newbie! We have to start over from scratch as we are living in a new state  and an updated home study just won't work. 

HOW IT BEGAN

In July, two years ago, we suddenly had V brought to our home from a disrupted African adoption. (You can read the story HERE.) Within a couple of days we knew she was to be ours. Complications with state policies involving her final adoption has also prevented us from giving her the Carter name. It has been frustrating and disappointing to say the least.

Also, two years ago in May, I met a little boy, J while teaching at a women's conference in AFRICA, and we decided to pursue his adoption but so many roadblocks these past two years have prevented it from happening. We released him to God and decided to move on. 
( You can read more HERE) 

We are creating a  private Facebook group because there has been breakthrough for both children! We are so excited that God is doing some impossible things to allow us to be family to these two wonderful children. We have to keep the details of V's and J's process low key and where as I have always blogged publicly about our past adoptions, we need to do this one a little more privately.  I will put generalistic posts here on this blog but no details of our journey experiences. 

I assure you, we have always had adventurous adoptions and will need prayer and encouragement support from family , friends and the adoption community. smile emoticon

If you want to be part of this group, please FACEBOOK friend request me at  Melissa Ammons Carter and PM me to let me know you want to be added to the Secret Group.  I cannot add you to the group if you are not a FB friend. 

Blessings and Love, Melissa and Duane

Writing Contest - OVERCOMING DARKNESS

 My second short story..... I hope you have a good laugh

The beginning of the flight

The middle of the flight

OVERCOMING DARKNESS

After almost a year of waiting, I knew it was time. Spring had arrived in 2009 and I had this inner instinct to get back to Africa and bring my three kids home. As far as I knew, nothing had changed in the immigration office in Uganda. I was legally the children’s parent but passport issues had caused me to keep flying back and forth to try to get them a passport.   My 21 year old daughter, Magy and I booked a ticket and set out on an adventure of faith to Uganda.  I’m typically a detail person but this time I booked the cheapest ticket I could find not paying attention to the itinerary.... Had I done that, I might have been prepared.  We were headed to Uganda, via NewYork and South Africa! 

  We arrived at our hotel in NYC and got to bed at  3am.  Magy went right off to sleep but I tossed and turned as traffic whizzed by all night on the Highway nearby.   Sleep evading me, I got up and ordered room service.  A guy with an accent answered the phone.  I ordered Magy’s eggs scrambled and mine, over easy. He didn’t seem to understand and so I said, “You know, Sunny side up, with the middle all runny.”  He chuckled out loud and said ok. ” I will bring it to you. I have to meet a person who orders eggs Sunny Side Up” It wasn’t long before a knock on the door, signaled that our breakfast had arrived. Sure enough an older gentleman of Indian descent stood there smiling from ear to ear. Thanking him, I signed the ticket and wished him a great day. Smiling, he said, “You made my day today.”  I suppose we Southerners do know how to start our days off. Ordering those eggs just set our day in motion for happiness. 

At the hotel in NYC

    Finishing our delicious breakfast we headed downstairs, hauling our suitcases in three trips to the lobby. I have no recollection of how we even got them to the hotel room in the first place only a few hours before. Sleep depravation....it erases memories.
The greeter/bellhop cheerfully greeted us begging us not to leave and had us laughing from the get go as he helped get our luggage loaded onto the shuttle. The shuttle guy was even more cheerful. He was Ragaee all the way from one of the islands in the Caribbean. Dropping us off at South African Airways, he pulled off our carryons.  Mentioning that the 5 suitcases and  stroller were ours, he dropped everything he was doing and unbelievably gasped, “Get out of here!”  Cocking his head, he asked “Are you telling me the truth?”  “ Yes, I am”. “Well, I just thought they belonged to all these other people.” “No sir, they belong to us.”
He finished unloading them all, shaking his head the whole time in disbelief that two women had all that stuff. That left 2 suitcases in the back for the 4 people left in the van.
Thanking Jesus that none of our bags were overweight, we headed towards security where thousands of people were meandering back and forth through six lines as a jolly guard shouted out how to undress through the checkpoint! My mind could only picture thousands of sheep being herded through a narrow gate.   Once Magy and I put ourselves back together, we headed to our gate for the uneventful wait to board our plane to Africa. So the long journey begins. 

After we got settled in our seat, I pulled out our flight itinerary. My mind did a backwards flip when I realized that our flight from NYC to South Africa was 16 hours!      my exhausted brain panicked. How can one tolerate a 16 hour flight? I had only prepared for a 8 hour flight!  Taking deep breathes, I sat back and thought, I can do this, its for the children. 

     It was a beautiful bright sunny morning, and with daylight streaming in the windows, I leaned over  peered past my neighbor to see the scenery as we took off.  Twenty minutes later, disaster hit! They started asking everyone to pull down their shades so passengers could watch their movies. The plane became pitch dark with the exception of a few reading lights scattered there and here.  Was I the only one on the plane who was bothered that the we had to be in a sunless vehicle for 16 hours even though we were closer to the sun than our friends left behind on earth???  In my mind, I stared a protest but quickly abandoned it after watching the stewardesses shut down several other people trying to rebel. 

     So….. what did I do for 16 hours on a plane in darkness? I say I because this was survival mode and Magy would have to make her own plans.  

First, I came up with a plan. Plans help time pass faster and I intended to help mine zoom by. 

I scoped out my options for movies and shows reading previews and deciding which ones I wanted to watch.  – 30 minutes

 I watched 2 episodes of my favorite crime solving show.  – 1 1/2 hours

 I tried to take a nap because I had no sleep the night before.  I gave up. (Because my mind kept screaming,  “There is sunshine behind those shades!” - 15 minutes

 I decided to strike up a conversation with the person seated beside me, asking them why they were going to Africa.  Had I known, I would have kept my mouth shut or just told her I was on business. Her part of the conversation went like this very loudly and pronounced exclamation so the whole plane heard it; “Oh, ARE you one of those FAB---UUU- LOOO--UUS people we hear about?”  My mind instantly retorted, “Why yes, I AM one of those Fabulous People you hear about all the time.” The saintly Aura surrounding me would be gone in an instant. – 20 minutes
 I checked the status of our flight and instantly depression set in the dark plane since there were still 14 flight hours left and daylight is lurking behind those shades.
 I dug out my ipod, listening to music to wash away the depression while sending prayers to God for deliverance. - 45 minutes.
I stood up, surprising my seat mates, switching positions because my bumb was numb. - 3 minutes

 I figured since I was partially depressed in the darkness that I could turn on my artificial reading light and start reading, the then “not released yet” book “SCARED,  A Novel on the Edge of the World” by Tom Davis and read 6 chapters.  (How did I get a copy? Well, I am one of those Fabulous People who have friends in high places.)  --- 1 hour  (BTW you can buy the book here)
 Because the man in front me has lain prostrate in his airplane recliner so that I can’t even pull out my tray while the movie screen hangs broken 4 inches from my face, Magy graciously switches seats with me –5 minutes
 I pulled out my travel paint set hoping to paint in the dark with with artificial light as Magy offers her tray to hold my palette. It’s a disaster.  –1 hour
 Nature called and I headed to the back of the plane staying there for awhile because my legs commanded me to and I obeyed. - 20 minutes.
 I Repeated #’s 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10 but not necessarily in that order.  - 40 minutes
 I ran out of water and decided to walk to the back of the plane, I did this twice much to the annoyance of others beside me, but I made up for it by offering to get my neighbor water as well since she was taking medication. - 20 minutes
 I tried to watch “Chefs Around the World” but got bored and decided to solve a crime instead. –45 minutes
 Completely bored by now I stood up in my seat on my knees facing the back of the plane scanning the crowd to see what everyone is doing. I know its a sin but I envied the ones who had more than one seat to stretch out on. I saw one rebel and wanted to go sit in her lap as she had her shade cracked open.  Hope diminished when a stewardess came by and closed it. –20 minutes
  Magy and I have light conversation and decide to  eat some summer sausage, crackers and a plastic knife that we got past security.  Tootsiepops finish off our queenly snack and we took pictures of ourselves to remember this long flight. Oops! the neighbor gave us a dirty look. ( I bet he wasn’t really sleeping anyway.) –25 minutes
 I wondered if it was dark outside yet – 2 seconds
 Our meal comes and yay! They turned on the lights!!! It’s like heaven has opened and rays of sunshine burst through the darkness, but then my head screams PAIN!!  I grab two Advil from my backpack which is a feat in itself since the food trays are down loaded with food.  -1 hour  

      Since it is officially dark outside I  decide to try to sleep again putting my earphones in and sleep mask on. sleep eludes me because the 2 year old who has been sleeping while there is sunshine outside is wide awake and is very happy to talk, kick and play. -1 hour
 As exhaustion sets in I realize that for some time now my feet and legs have been hurting quite a bit. I propped them up under my reading light to find that they are swollen double!
Scared that I’m going to get a blood clot, I find the exercises on my screen they recommended  and I stand in the middle of the aisle vigorously doing them, not caring who notices! It was a good thing that the guy on the aisle was dead asleep, because I accidentally bent over in his face a few times touching my toes. He'd have gotten more than he asked for this flight. -20 minutes 
 I repeated several things listed above because now I am delusional and can’t think creatively any more. 

Finished with that routine, I checked the status hoping with every fiber in my being that we were almost there.   Two hours! I decided to watch a two hour movie so those hours would fly by. – 4 hours
FINALLY!  The Captain announces we are about to land and the stewardess  announces that the shades must come up. Daylight shines through! I imagine myself tearing off my seat belt standing up on the chair and singing the Hallelujah Chorus!!!!
Believe me, I was not my polite self as I stampeded the exit with everyone out of that plane!  We won’t even talk about the 4 hour flight forward to Uganda! 

In Africa at last in the sunshine

We Are ADOPTANT! (In more ways than One)PART 2

Well, As you can see our new little daughter is a cutie!  She is adjusting well.  Edith and Allenni have taken up the big sister role just nicely and it is awesome to see them go outside of themselves and give.  Isaiah as expected is having a little harder adjustment but for the most part is doing well. Isaiah is a lover so he will come out just fine!

Isaiah and Violetti saying goodmorning

Some of you may be wondering why I labeled these posts  PART 1 and PART 2. Well, there's more to the story.

IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

 I was back in Uganda this past May 2013. It had been almost 4 years since I had been to that beautiful place. MY reasons and intentions for returning had nothing to do with orphans or adoptions at all. GOD's reasons though as it turned out had everything to do with it.  I was invited there by my good friends Shelly and Brenda to help lead a Women's conference in the Village of Seguku. My role was to hold Prophetic Art workshops and do Prophetic Worship Painting during the services. (I'll write another blog on that later.)

Of course I stayed in the guest house and it was wonderful to see all the people I loved. Esther, Andrew, Susan, Shelly, Brenda,  John and his new wife Hope, Richard and his new wife Mable who was pregnant with my little godchild, grandbaby, Melissa.  I met another couple waiting to complete the adoption of their children. It was wonderful.  I was there in a different role and it was actually the beginning of the fulfillment of some dreams I had long had.

The conference was great! I was enjoying ministering to the women and totally enjoying the fellowship of the women who were doing the conference. It came at a time when I really needed a break of sorts THEN...... My wonderful friends who live there.... Shelly and Brenda said... "Melissa, you should go over to the baby house and meet Johnny."  The sly smiles  on their faces told me they were up to something.  "No, I'm not going to do it." I said, "I came here to participate in this women's conference, that is all. I am not going to that Baby House." They just smiled knowing good well, that I would venture over.  I had brought some things for the kids over there and now my plan was ruined.  I had wanted to see the new house the kids were living in, so this was just a bummer.
Thanks Shelly and Brenda.  I now had to avoid the Baby House just incase, something might stir in my heart.
The Women's conference was long days but was amazing! My heart was preoccupied with all the painting, workshops and ministry.  I was seeing God deliver women, love on them, save them and refresh them in a way I had not seen before.  My heart had been heavy over my Ugandan sisters because there is so much oppression on women there both spiritually and physically.  It was so beautiful to see them break forth in their lives and roles as daughters of the Most High.   I gained a daughter one night as I stepped out of my comfort zone and told this dear one that I would love her. God did amazing things in my own life as I participated in this conference.

Shelly and Brenda know things. God speaks to their hearts and they listen. I love them dearly and when they speak I do listen. AND like me they are persistent. All week long they kept reminding me to see Johnny. I was trying NOT to listen to them!
Eventually, I decided to go over there and play with the kids.  Really, what was I afraid of? I mean, I had gone through three countries in Asia for 3 weeks and had not had the slightest nudge to take any of them home! Africa would be the same no matter what Shelly and Brenda thought.

 Most of the team left the day after the conference, but I had scheduled my return on the "wrong" day and was flying out 2 days later, so I had some free time on my hands.  I took a deep breathe, gathered the goody bags and toys and headed next door to Bethany Baby House - Who by the way is doing an awesome job in taking orphans and raising them in a family atmosphere.

Johnny was taking a nap, but I played with the other kids and held the babies. We had fun.

Johnny woke up and was  the cutest kid.  He watched me for a few moments, I gave him his goody bag and he hung around playing with me and all the kids.  I was waiting for this BIG AHA! moment but it didn't come and I wiped my brow and sighed Whew! That was close. Shelly and Brenda were wrong.

I played with them all a while longer, making every effort to check out this thing about Johnny.  Still no movement in my heart that said, he's yours!
In complete honesty, on the way back to the guest house, I was thanking God that he had chosen another family for him and that he wasn't ours.  We were in over our heads in many areas of our life and bringing another child into our home wasn't on the agenda right now. It didn't seem possible.  Now please don't get me wrong!  I am all about Orphans and Adoptions and giving children a family but I do have 10 kids! LOL!  AND What would my hubby say?
 I know it would make this story more dramatic if I told you that I went to the guesthouse and didn't sleep because I kept thinking about Johnny. Instead, I actually slept very well.  I did post pics of him on FB to "feel" out my hubby and he made some really cute comments about bringing home which I outright ignored.
I had promised the kids I would come back the next day and bring pics of my kiddos, so since I was leaving later that afternoon, I got packed up, stuffed some "sweeties" in my pocket, grabbed my ipad and headed over to Bethany.
The first thing Johnny said to me, was "Did you bring some sweeties?" Too cute! but my heart was still not moved towards the son thing.  Another sigh of relief.  After passing out suckers, I sat down on the steps and got my ipad out and the kids gathered around me to see the pictures and play some games. Johnny barreled through them all and plopped himself  down on my lap and there he stayed for the next 40 minutes.  Later the kids began playing with a stick and a millipede and thought I would be deathly scared of it if they tried to throw it on  me. But unknown to them, I had grown up in Africa and big bugs don't scare me!  Nonetheless, I acted extremely scared to the delight of all of them and to Johnny who was just rolling with laughter.  Then all too soon, I had to say my goodbyes, give them all hugs and walk away.

Poking the millipede

Becky thought this game was hilarious

Now mind you, I was doing just fine, giving a sigh of relief that I had had fun with all those kids and that was it.  Rejoicing that there had not been one inkling that I was to take any of them home as a son or daughter. Thank you Jesus! no more changes right now in MY life!
BUT.... As I walked up the steps and looked back-- (Which was by the way, detrimental to Lot's wife) My heart unexpectedly burst open, I mean it felt like an explosion, like one of those water spurts at a water pad that unexpectedly shoots out of the ground and tears just came pouring out of my eyes. I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE THAT LITTLE BOY! Lot's wife may have become a pillar of salt  but I became a puddle of salt water.

I would say a cuss word here if it was appropriate, as that is probably what I said to God. (He's great enough to handle me and my humanness. ) Anyway, I wished I could say, I just rolled over and said ok, let's do it!  But I didn't. I argued, got angry and used my words. "What????? What are you doing God???? Seriously???? We can't! We just can't! What are you thinking? What are you doing?"  (Cry, Cry, Cry, ) More tears. "Why are you picking us? We HAVE A LOT OF KIDS already! Isn't there someone else?" Cry some more.  Then as I quieted down and just stood there, He answered me. "You DID say you were willing? right? Willing to do whatever it took to know me?" "Well, yes, I did."
"Well, ok, then. Know Me. " And as simple as that, I choose to become a parent again.

 When I told Shelly, ok, I'm going home and talking to Duane about Johnny being ours, She just smiled that smile that said, "See? I told you so."  Some friends I have! They are all about changing the world! They keep getting me involved. How did I ever get so lucky?

So Everyone, Meet Johnny:

This boy is linebacker material

He's ready for bed and looked like a little man in his Pjs

Selfies

SIDE NOTE:  We had already planned to start the adoption process on Johnny back in May and so hopefully with our homestudy process etc... we plan to bring him home early in the new year.  Eli was our only adoption we did singly. Multiples run in our DNA. It must be because I'm a twin. Hehe!  So here we are now getting a home study for two children who will have come to us within months of each other.

Johnny is almost 4 years old and has been at Bethany house since he was 8 months old.  He is a doll baby.
And interestingly enough, He is not very keen on meeting strangers. Typically he stands back and observes and gradually gets to know you.  With me, he came out of that bubble and took right to me.  Weird huh?  Shelly..... I see you smiling..... and smirking!

UPDATE: JULY 2015
WE still have not brought this sweet boy home: Because of law changes etc. But just when we had released him to God, The doors swung right open and have allowed for us to be able to get him.

We Are ADOPTANT! (In More Ways than One) PART 1

 God drops surprises on us all the time and I figure since my love language is gifts and surprises, He kinda gets a kick out of doing this for me. My sweet hubby might be wishing that I had a different love language about right now but he just goes with the flow!  He's so awesome!

As a lot of you have seen on Facebook we got an unexpected surprise added to our family!
Though I can't share the details with you, it came to our attention early last week about a little 6 year old girl who is originally from Uganda, who now lives in California, who needed a family.  We were asked by a good trusted friend if we would take her for respite care, while a family could be found.

Honestly at first, we both were like What????  No, I don't think so.  Our lives ARE already crazy enough! God, another Child? Really? What are you thinking? Have you looked at our finances? Have you seen our schedules for the next 6 months, the next 3 years????  Do you remember the books we are supposed to be writing and the business ventures you assigned to us, not to mention the other justice and orphan projects we are involved in??? God, you know, we won't get into this just for respite care don't you? You know God??? hello!?  This went on for a couple of days, between God, and Duane and I.


 Being the great Father that He is, God let us panic and and regurgitate all our anxieties and excuses all over Him. He sat there being the solid Rock that He is and took it all.   After we were finished "praying" about it. LOL! We just sat there and looked at each other. We knew what God's heart was. - To rescue the perishing, to love the needy, to give life to those dying.  Really, was there any other answer but Yes?  Did we truly believe the words of Jesus, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and the other things will be added to you"?

We recite at church every week, 1of 4 prayers before offering time. At the end in almost every one of those blessings, there is a phrase that is my heart's desire. "So that I may have MORE than enough to give into the Kingdom of God and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ." More finances, more time, more love, more of everything that the Kingdom of God has to offer, I simply want it all! Not selfishly but to further the Gospel and God's heart here on earth.  Duane and I have come to realize that our offering is giving those things we do have to God - Our screwed up finances, our lack of time, our attempt at love, our trust in Him, our willingness to seek his face and heart.  This was testing time. Did we believe God would take care of all of those "issues" we had if we stepped out in Faith and brought another child into our home.  Did we trust Him to continue to be faithful?
Well, it then became a no brainer. Of course.  yes, of course. Is there really any other answer but Yes?

So in matter of a few days, we became Adoptant on Thursday the 18th of July, 2013 and birthed a little girl into our hearts and family on the 20th of July, 2013!

Everyone, Meet the newest Carter-  Violette:

FUNNY SIDE NOTE!  So we told the kids and one of Edith's friends( you never know who will be sitting at our dinner table) on Thursday night at dinner about our decision and it sorta went like this!
Well, We have an announcement to make!
(some rolled their eyes, like, "oh no! here she goes, another lecture about chores!")
WE ARE PREGNANT!
 - Looks of shock emerge and gasps take place, eyes get big, and then all of a sudden, Eli our 11 year old shouts,  "Hey! wait a minute, YOU can't have babies!"  Relief sets in across the room as every one starts chuckling, thinking my comment was a big joke to make everyone pee in their pants.
I continue-  She is 6 years old.... "Mom! you're joking!  No way! What??? "
"I'm not. Really .... and is from Uganda...."
"Mom, what ??? you are joking!!! "
No, I'm not! She will be here in a few days.
What?? are you going to Uganda?? This is a joke. Dad, is this true?
"Yes, It is true. Mom, is not going to Uganda,  You are getting a new sister and she is coming from Southern CA. "
Only then did they believe it! Why is that????? hello!!!
Smiles emerged on some faces, Confusion on others, frowns on a couple as they realized change...... well, we won't go there right now.
Questions flowed along with many comments and dinner ended with everyone being on board. -- CARTER UNITED NATIONS. :)

I'm Traveling the World!

I know, I know..... I've all of a sudden been traveling a lot!  After a 3 year hiatus of no traveling this missionary blood filled girl (my parents are missionaries)  is finally back on

airplanes and doors are opening to minister in ways I have dreamed about for years. Growth and Patience have been hard to develop but now I am so excited that God is allowing me to break forth and do amazing things. Like my friend Bob Johnson says, there really is No Box when it comes to God. I've been stretched and pushed outside my box and when I have obeyed, God steps in and does amazing things.
I have an amazing husband, who sees me and my gifts and is always encouraging me to go for it even if it costs him something.

Ministering to the women of Uganda

I can close my eyes right now and as a young girl, I see my daddy preaching  and I hear him saying,  "People, Attempt Great Things for a Great God, Expect Great Things from a Great God."  Well, All my life I have quoted that to myself, it's what has reminded me that God is faithful through every one of our adoptions. On these trips it still rings true,  I attempted many things, that I have never done before, expecting God to show up and He  has still shown himself  Faithful to complete the good work. In Faith, believing MY GOD is the SAME yesterday, today and forever, I've seen people healed emotionally, I've seen them delivered from demons, I've touched blind eyes and saw them open, deaf ears , to hear and people come to know a Jesus they have never known. And I stand in awe daily that he lets me be his hands and feet.

Jesus restored this lady's eye  sight so she could see!!!!!! 

That being said, My son, Graham and I have been asked to join Bob and Kimberly Johnson with Idignify on a team to several  South African cities and Mozambique with Heidi Baker at the end of July.  We will be gone for a month.  Graham's school has graciously granted him permission to miss the first week.
I stand amazed at how God funded the other two trips through my friends. I trust Him to do the same for this one.  Each of my other trips has been incredible and life changing for me as well as the ones we went to serve.  I went to minister and in return got ministered to by others and by God himself.
If you feel led, to donate, you can donate a tax deductible gift  through Idignify to the link below towards our trip. We need to raise our plane ticket money by the 19th of June. 
  IDIGNIFY- MELISSA AND GRAHAM CARTER -SOUTH AFRICA TRIP

Thanks so much to all of you who have prayed for me and donated to my trips. I pray God's blessings abundantly on you.

A little boy at Destiny Rescue- Prevention Home

NEWS FROM UGANDA!

A friend sent this to me and I did not throughly check it out but this is awesome I thought.  I love uganda as I have 4 kids from there and many friends who live there! Melissa

Uganda's President Publicly Repents  Teresa Neumann (Nov 27, 2012) "We want to dedicate this nation to You so that You will be our God and guide. We want Uganda to be known as a nation that fears God and as a nation whose foundations are firmly rooted in righteousness and justice to fulfill what the Bible says in Psalm 33:12: 'Blessed is the nation, whose God is the Lord. A people You have chosen as Your own' . . . And I hereby covenant Uganda to You, to walk in Your ways and experience all Your blessings forever." -President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda)—A report in Uganda's leading daily newspaper, New Vision, states that at the National Jubilee Prayers in Namboole, President Yoweri Museveni made history when he openly repented of his sins and the sins of Uganda. The following is the text of Museveni's repentance speech: Father God in Heaven, today we stand here as Ugandans, to thank you for Uganda. We are proud that we are Ugandans and Africans. We thank you for all Your goodness to us. (Photo: Wikipedia) I stand here today to close the evil past—especially in the last 50 years of our national leadership history. [We are] at the threshold of a new dispensation in the life of this nation. I stand here on my own behalf and on behalf of my predecessors to repent. We ask for Your forgiveness. We confess these sins that have greatly hampered our national cohesion and delayed our political, social and economic transformation. We confess sins of idolatry and witchcraft which are rampant in our land. We confess sins of shedding innocent blood, sins of political hypocrisy, dishonesty, intrigue and betrayal. Forgive us of sins of pride, tribalism and sectarianism; sins of laziness, indifference and irresponsibility; sins of corruption and bribery that have eroded our national resources; sins of sexual immorality, drunkenness and debauchery; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and revenge; sins of injustice, oppression and exploitation; sins of rebellion, insubordination, strife and conflict. These sins and many others have characterized our past leadership, especially the last 50 years of our history. Lord forgive us and give us a new beginning. Give us a heart to love You, to fear You and to seek You. Take away from us all the above sins. We pray for national unity. Unite us as Ugandans and eliminate all forms of conflict, sectarianism and tribalism. Help us to see that we are all Your children, children of the same Father. Help us to love and respect one another and to appreciate unity in diversity. We pray for prosperity and transformation. Deliver us from ignorance, poverty and disease. As leaders, give us wisdom to help lead our people into political, social and economic transformation. We want to dedicate this nation to You so that You will be our God and guide. We want Uganda to be known as a nation that fears God and as a nation whose foundations are firmly rooted in righteousness and justice to fulfill what the Bible says in Psalm 33:12: 'Blessed is the nation, whose God is the Lord. A people You have chosen as Your own.' I renounce all the evil foundations and covenants that were laid in idolatry and witchcraft. I renounce all the satanic influence on this nation. And I hereby covenant Uganda to You, to walk in Your ways and experience all Your blessings forever. I pray for all these in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Source: Staff – New Vision

New Ornaments and Gifts featuring my Art

Well, that time of the year is just about on us and I am excited to announce that I have updated my
cafepress store with new paintings. There are new Christmas ornaments featuring my paintings. There are ipad covers, t-shirts, plaques, mugs, and many other great gifts that feature my paintings. You can also order your Christmas cards featuring my art work. I will be getting those up on the site today. You can get there from here. Melissa's Cafepress Store If you want to purchase any prints or original paintings, then head over to my website and you can purchase things from there.  Melissa Carter Creations
Check back often as I am adding new products daily!!  Be on the lookout as I have a surprise I am going to announce pertaining to  your purchases!

DEFENDER AMONG THEM ORNAMENT

Adoption Month Project

ADOPTION PROJECT


In honor of the Official Adoption Month of November, I am honoring a family that persevered and never waivered in bringing their kids home. After many trips to Uganda and back they were finally successful with God's help in bringing two beautiful children home from Uganda to have a forever family. In this process as we, the Carter family well know, it was financially draining. I want to help Keltie and Blake with the expenses of their adoptions and am doing that by raffling off tickets to win a 11x14 Giclee Print of my painting "Inner Strength".

The Drawing will be DECEMBER 20, 2010.

I am also selling prints and Signed Christmas Ornaments through this month and the month of December of "Inner Strength". 50% of those purchases will go towards Keltie and Blake's Adoption Fund.

You can click on the link here to access the page to purchase your tickets, prints or ornaments here
You can also access it by going to http://melissacartercreations.com
and clicking on the link
KELTIE'S PAGE.
Thanks so much,
Melissa Carter

Email from Hedda- August 6

Remember my friend Hedda who came and got her baby from Uganda and returned home?
She sent me an email.

"Oh how I miss you and Uganda. I know you are tired and weary and I too am having a hard time understanding why this adoption journey is so fraught with stumbling blocks for you. Know that I am there with you in spirit and prayer.

We made it home fine...Samuel was a trooper on the flights. I don’t know if Charles told you that we got pulled over by the police going to the airport that night? We sure did and when he entered the van, Jason and I were mortified. He rode with us all the way to Entebbe and I was worried. I thought he would want a bribe which would have been bad as we had no more shillings on us. As he and Charles are talking away, I am praying hard that he will not ask for anything. When he gets out we all breathe a big sigh of relief. Turns out he wanted to know about being saved. I don’t honestly think that is why he started off the journey with us but I think that is what Charles turned it around to be. Thank you Lord!......

I love you girl and I thank you for caring for me even when you were faced with so much obstacles yourself. I thank God for sending you my way and I want you to know what a blessing and inspiration you have been and continue to be in my life- THANK YOU!"

August 4, 2009- Keeping busy until there is news

August 4, 2009

"May the God of my hope so fill me with all joy and peace in believing-through the experience of my faith- that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." Romans 15:13 Amp (paraphrased)

One thing I have learned here in Africa is that things don't always go as planned. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

We have a saying for that --TIA (This is Africa)-- But wait, that won't work, because this time it is

a problem with my home country. The US of A!

Ok, enough sarcasm.

Like I said last week on July 30, we were told that our home study would arrive Friday morning, and be approved on the spot and then the data would be entered into the computer system and then would travel through cyberspace to arrive here in Kampala ready for us to apply for our visas.

Based on that info, we talked with the consul and tentatively set a date for the visa interview for Monday afternoon at 2:30pm.

I kept myself busy all weekend and tried not to get too excited thinking we were finally gonna get the visas now and by the end of the week we would be home.

I kept busy doing what I like to do best- cooking!- Ok, I really miss cooking, and so to help Brenda out with her busy schedule,(and give me something to do, I had volunteered to cook Sunday lunch and Monday dinner. Cooking over here though takes extra time because everything is really done from scratch but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Cooking relaxes me mentally even though it wore me out physically here in this humidity. I guess you can tell I am bored or why else would I be telling you every detail of our day when all you really want to hear is the story of our acquiring of the visas. But alas, I am the story teller and you are the reader, so I get to tell you what ever I want! So, would you like to hear the menus I came up with?

Why of course you would.

For Sunday I fixed the following:

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with tomato sauce that ended up being a little spicy because I mistook the bottle of Chili for Chili Powder!

Sweet Corn Casserole

Homemade Rolls with fresh Rosemary and Garlic

Rice

Roma Tomato Salad with fresh Basil with vinaigrette

and for our missionary fellowship in the evening, I made 3 Mississippi Mud Pies! (Unlike Mississippi Mud cake)

For Monday, Scott and Brenda ended up having a long day and so I fixed Dinner for the kids and a friend of mine from last year named Jimmy.

Oven Roasted Fresh Rosemary Chicken

Fresh Sweet, Maple Carrots (Allenni was so proud to go down into the village and get these for me)

Garlic and Onion roasted Potatoes

Creamy Caesar Cucumber Salad

Homemade Fresh Basil,Onion and Olive Flat bread

Successful and Delicious! Hungry now?

Monday finally rolled around and I woke up severely congested again with the continuation of my sinus infection and cough. This thing will let me feel good one day and then the next, I am knocked down with it.

Isaiah kept both me and Maggie busy and by early evening I was READY to put him to bed. Let me just tell you what this kid can do.

Let's see all in a days work,

He kept kissing little 2 year old Bethany and he has a nasty cold. It seemed he really wanted to share the love (and germs) today.

Stripped naked and pooped and peed in the yard then found and broke Susan's nice beaded necklace slinging beads everywhere and proceeded to pretend it is was a lasso while he was a wild, black naked cowboy.

Pulled the dogs' tails multiple times and stepped on the cat's tail several times.

Rolled his eyes at me if I told him "no"

Ignored his name anytime it was called unless you mentioned " the green spank stick"

Pitched several all out temper tantrums.

The boy is attracted to water like a fish and kept getting into the filter water bucket, the wash bucket, the baby pool fully clothed

Got into everything and anything he thought looked interesting.

Did I mention he likes to dip toilet paper into the toilet, then chew on it a while?

Took his tuna pasta that he had for lunch and decided it would make a good massage lotion all over his body and therefore he stunk like tuna all afternoon.

Watched me pick Rosemary and thought he had to go pick Brenda's plants on her patio.

Took his dinner and dumped it out on the patio so the dogs could eat it and then asked for more.

Washed his hands and his face in his juice

Single handedly took down a 7 ft x 8ft wall mirror off the wall. (Thankfully, Two teens were nearby and saved him from being crushed and they caught the mirror and it didn't break)

And as I was visiting with Jimmy over dinner, I looked over to find that he had taken 3 bookshelves of books and had piled them all in the living room floor into one big heap!

Even with his decongestant, it took him over an hour to be put to sleep for the evening!

I do not know what that boy got into but he was a handful yesterday. He also got his share of spankings. Whew!

I am definitely not used to a toddler! He is usually not this busy and destructive. So ends Monday

Another 2 Hair Days and Massage-August 3-4

Well, a few days later, Allenni wanted to do my hair again! Then she kept insisting that I let her give me a massage with lotion. Well, "grudgingly" I let her. ha! I think the girl has great potential!



I think this is a little better than the "Cat Walk" hairdo. Now I look like a little teeny bopper.
Ohhhhh! Allenni! You are "paining me". (translation-- oww! that hurts!)
I love it when my hair is played with!
Isaiah found my bra and thought it made a nice hat! Too bad he only had one head! lol
I think Andrew got hold of the camera - My new beautician
the next day, Allenni wanted to give me a massage and Isaiah enjoyed spreading lotion all over my face. I couldn't have enjoyed it better!
Maggie and Isaiah pose for a pic
Can you tell I'm relaxed???
Don't I look rejunenated????

Observations of Africa

I did post this blog entry way back when but since I am tring to finish up the blog in chronological order about our African Journey, I went ahead and reposted it.
To try to keep my mind off of the waiting I paid extra attention to the sights and smells of everything. I wished I had actually journaled more but my energy level was so low. But When my friend posted this pic on his FB and told me it was a real pic, I had to send it for a laugh along with my observations. I'm thinking the guy had the goat legs tied together in the front. There is no telling what you will see on a boda boda or bicycle.


THIS PICTURE HAS NOT BEEN DOCTORED. I GOT IT FROM MY FRIEND HERE.

YES, IT IS A GOAT! THOUGHT YOU ALL NEEDED A LAUGH TODAY!

I thought I needed to include this post for a laugh. You would never believe it but you have to take my word for it! A regular mode of transportation around here is the boda boda (a lightweight motorcycle) and a bicycle. Not only do these vehicles carry people but they carry anything that you might need transporting. Now I know some of you are not going to believe the things I write down here but I promise THEY ARE TRUE AND I HAVE SEEN THEM WITH MY OWN EYES!!!!

Things I've seen on a Boda Boda or Bicycle:

1. A full twin bed, not in pieces but fully put together

2. Approx. 20 foam mattresses

3. At least 40 Gerry Cans (these are 5 gallon cans they use to transport water in)

4. a family of 5 plus the driver

5. 2 huge bunches of matoke(plantain)with a woman

6. 1 75 lb. bag of coal

7. 2 large 20 gallon milk cans with owner

8. 2 100 lbs bags of potatoes

9. 4 large matoke bunches (these each probably weigh 50lbs)

10. 1 queen bed , in pieces but with headboard and footboard

11. An entire bedroom furniture set

12. 1 man and 2 small appliances

13. about 60 pineapples

14. 1 50lb bag of sugar

15. 50 huge stalks of sugar cane

16. About 75 crushed cardboard boxes

17. about 30 flats of fresh eggs=75 dozen eggs!

18. 30 live chickens tied together upside down awaiting to be sold and be dinner.

July 30. Our Files ARE Lost!

Email I sent out on July 30, 2009
You can probably pick up that I was a little frustrated.

"Well, I should be in bed here but wanted to post an update on our situation.
YES, our file got lost somewhere. Our Social worker got AL DHR to resend the whole file to Atlanta USCIS.
Can you believe it took ONE WEEK to arrive there? (ATL is only 5-6 hours from Montgomery)

Blew my mind. So we got this news that it had arrived in ATL and would be processed imediately. Yeah!!! BUT.... Guess what????

DHR totally FORGOT to include only the most important document USCIS needed and was really the only document we needed ---- OUR UPDATED HOMESTUDY---!!!!

Now to be honest, I went into the flesh for a minute when Duane IM'd me about it!!!!

Can you believe that?????

Thankfully our senator's office had called ATL this morning to check that things were going and was told about this problem. They called Duane and Duane called our Social Worker who had permission from the Senator's office to bypass DHR in AL and send the Homestudy directly to USCIS in ATL by Fed EX overnight.

So it is supposed to arrive in ATL at 10am and be approved on the spot by a congressional liason who will then hand deliver it to the person who inputs into the data base so the Embassy can process the visas from this side.

So as Duane was telling me all this by IM, the Embassy called me and I told her the situation and so she tentatively set us a visa appointment for Monday at 2:30pm. The visa usually takes 2 days to complete.

When we get word that the approval is here in Uganda we will try to find a plane out of here and head home.

We need people to pray us home. It seems the enemy just keeps throwing things our way to keep us from getting home with these kids.

Well, I have had ENOUGH!

You'd think he would give up knowing God always comes through for us!

That God is our shield and strong tower and that we are leaning on Him. That we are not giving up.

Maggie and I in faith, did most of our packing on Monday. We only left out what we absolutely needed.

Here are some specific things we would like to ask you to pray about:

1. My health is improving. Thanks for your prayers

2.Please pray for Allenni and Isaiah, they are getting what I have had. We need every one to be healthy for traveling.

3. For plane tickets to become available next week at a price we can afford. This is high travel season

4.For the protection of the rest of the process for the visas

5. For protection of us as we travel

6. For Duane and the kids back home.

7. That our focus will stay on Jesus no matter what happens our way.

Thanks so much everyone, we have felt your prayers and have loved the encouragement from those of you who have sent emails, brought food to my kids and hubby, and have sent me messages on FB and here on the blog. It has meant a lot to us.

You all have persevered with us in this matter.

We know God's glory will be the one that shines bright when all is said and done.

July 29- Still no sign of our papers.

It was July 29th by this time and still no sign of our file or papers.

Some days were so lonely and I missed Duane so terribly. We instant messaged a lot because it was free. I wish I had kept records of the conversations and had put them in my journal. I did a couple and this is one of them. Though personal I thought it good for others to see some of the rawness.
Duane and I had been having a conversation where he felt like he was to help me more with the kids to allow me time to paint and do other things. Honestly, I felt it was all words. Though it was what I wanted, I wasn't sure if it would ever actually happen. In the end I apologized to Duane for not trusting him. This is part of what I wrote:

"You are my lover and God is the lover of my soul and I am craving for you both to fill my needs

which are sometimes greater than life

I guess I haven't allowed you or Him the freedom to do it the way it should be done because I have not trusted enough

You must admit, I am too much sometimes

ok now Im crying".

So what do you do with all the free time?

What do you do with all ther free time while you are waiting on the USCIS to find your paperwork??

You let Allenni do your hair. It was hot, I wasn't feeling well and it had been months since I had had a haircut. Allenni loved playing with my hir and I didn't mind it all so she REALLY fixed me up!
TAKE A LOOK FOR YOURSELF!




I look like I should be on a Cat walk with this hairdo!

Allenni was so proud of this hair design
Little Bethany brushed my hair too
The other thing you do when you are bored is you take mom's camera and take random pictures

You dress up with ties you have found after rummaging through mom's suitcase and pose for pics
I'm a ham!
And a turkey!