More Than 10 Times

Oh my.

Do I ever have an amazingly cool story to share today!!

First off though, I am so grateful for each of you who prayed {and fasted} yesterday with us.  

I don’t know about you, but almost every single time I fast, I feel a peace that does truly pass understanding.

Do you notice that too?

It is supernatural, no doubt.  That’s why when things in our lives seem to be spinning a bit chaotically, the first thing I think is, “When can I fast?”  It just works to sooth my soul – because He is always faithful.

I have been feeling lately that we needed to do the next “Storing Up Treasures” for those who are near traveling to bring a treasure home…

We honored and prayed for and blessed those bringing more than one right here, now it’s time for those bringing one.

The crazy and amazing thing about God is that as I have been praying about doing this, I was thinking about all the excuses that people are so quick to use when it comes to helping someone else.

Here’s a few I’ve heard in the past:

1.  They don’t really need my help cause it will happen regardless.


2.  I’ll let their family and friends help them, I don’t even know them.


3.  Our finances are in a real crunch already….we couldn’t possibly help someone else.

And the list goes on….

But here’s what I would say to the three top excuses that people would use.

1.  They don’t really need my help cause it will happen regardless.

~True,  but we have long established that God is definitely NOT a Deadbeat Dad…He will provide, with or without you, but remember the story of Esther?  We have just finished studying it in our family Bible study and when Esther’s Uncle Mordecai approaches her asking her to go to the king on behalf of the Jewish people to spare their lives, Uncle Mordecai gives this word, {paraphrased by me}, “You don’t have to Esther, God WILL bring help to spare the Jewish people from another source….but how do you know Esther that you weren’t born and placed in this royal position for such a time as this?”

So you’re right, He will bring help to each of the families bringing treasures home, He doesn’t need you.  He doesn’t.  BUT He wants to use you to help them.  He wants to bless you {and me} for being obedient in helping bring orphans home.

2.   I’ll let their family and friends help them, I don’t even know them.

~You’re not understanding that helping others we don’t know is part of God’s plan.  Remember the Good Samaritan?  He helped the man he hadn’t expected to find who needed help just cause.  He didn’t look for an excuse not to help, he just met the need.  Period.
3.  Our finances are in a real crunch already….we couldn’t possibly help someone else.


And on that note, I received the very coolest post on my Facebook wall this morning from a bloggy friend named Amy…I asked her permission to share her God-story below…..

Read this:

I am just in WOW right now. I love how God does great things to blow our minds! So yesterday I was reading a one of my favorite blogs, Linny, and in the comments saw a family post about being ready to travel to bring home their daughter in early January. However, this family was short on funds. 

Now we are just in the beginning stages, but I know how stressful being short of funds can be. So even though we don’t have a lot, I decided to give $20. Well, God took my obedience and heaped on the blessings. Today Jim called to tell me a co-worker had given him a donation towards our adoption. Then I went to check the mail and a dear friend had sent her money for the bracelets she wanted, but her check was for way more than the amount needed.

Friends, these donations are more than 10x’s what I gave!!! Not only that, some other dear friends have taken bracelets to try and sell for us!! We are so truly blessed. I loved being able to share this story of God’s faithfulness with my children!!



 Did you catch that sweet bloggy friends????
Amy and her husband didn’t ‘have’ extra money sitting around wondering what they should do with it….NOT.AT.ALL.  They were in the midst of beginning stages of their own adoption…and yet she saw a need and gave.…and the very next day – God blessed them more than 10 times what she had given! 
My eyes well with tears!   
Can you believe it?  

God is soooo faithful.  He blesses and blesses and blesses us when we bless others….
So on that note – 
We are going to have a “Storing Up Treasures” for those nearing bringing one home…which would be the “1s”.  
The same standards will apply:
1.  The post entry must be fresh {as in written for the link-up}.
2.  The questionnaire will have to be completed {the questionnaire will be posted tomorrow} so it can be included in the fresh post.
3.  This “Storing Up Treasures” is really for those who regularly stop in and visit with us here at our Place Called Simplicity.
4.  The approval option will be on the link-up and so all entries will have to be approved.  We will limit the number of entries to probably 7 {at the most}.  
I am so excited at what God is going to do, in light of Amy’s story this morning after a day of prayer and fasting…He has something really cool planned, no doubt!
Stay tuned and begin to pray about what He would have you do….
   

6 thoughts on “More Than 10 Times

  1. Linny,
    This is such an answer to my prayers. This afternoon I just went over all our final expenses to travel to China to get James next month and then compared our available funds. If God does not provide any more donations we will still be able to bring him home, but it will wipe out all our home equity, max out our credit cards, as well as our savings. I am so thankful we have been able to use the equity in our home for this adoption, and the donations from many others already… but to be perfectly honest I am scared that we will return home with no money for James' medical needs.

    Jeremiah 29:11 is the verse God gave me last December when we prayed and fasted about adopting from China and so I know no matter what happens in our finances, God has a specific purpose and plan for James and our family!!! We are so excited to bring him home next month.

    Thank you being an amazing example to a couple in Durango(us), of how to love and live for the orphan and follow Jesus' calling no matter what.

    1. I just wanted to clarify that we are prepared financially to meet all of James' needs when he gets home, we could just use some help financially with getting him home. But we know God has a plan and will provide every penny we need.

  2. We are the family Amy blessed with her donation. We are thrilled to see God use her and then bless her for donating. We would be honored if we can be featured, we are trying to travel in Jan to bring our newest treasure home from China. We have paid all fees ourselves up to travel but are in need of travel funds and are sharing the need for God to show how He will provide if we trust in Him. And we DO. Totally.

  3. So excited too!! We are awaiting court for our sweet little girl, who will be 6 next month!!! I want to go back and check with the blogs from last time and see how they are doing….

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