This past Saturday was my 23rd adoption day. Although I thank God for his perfect plan and divine intervention in my life and sacrifice He made, there are two things that are a reminder from Him of just how much He loves me and has guided my life from the beginning.
I am blessed that although most people celebrate their birth and life in one day I have the reminder on 2 different days. I thank my birthmother for not aborting me when it could have been easily done and not a thought afterwards. For that, I am thankful- I am thankful for birth. (to see my birthmothers letter to me go here: http://jennamariehoward.blogspot.com/2008/08/letter-of-comfort.html )
My second reminder is my adoption day. In my opinion adoption is a physical resemblance, through the adoptive parents, of Christ’s forgiveness and conquering of sin. Although I was made through a sinful act God made it beautiful, whole, and washed clean. With a grateful heart I say thank you to my mom and dad- thank you for life.
Thank you then Thank you now Thank you tomorrow Thank you forever.
Thank you for love Thank you for life Thank you for kindness Thank you for compassion.
Thank you for hardship Thank you for lessons Thank you for examples Thank you for leadership.
Thank you for passion Thank you for belief Thank you for correction Thank you for support.
Thank you for hugs Thank you for laughter Thank you for tears Thank you for comfort.
Thank you God Thank you Dad Thank you Mom Thank you, for me.
Although World Orphans does not facilitate International Adoptions there is a way in which you can help the parentless children of this world. World Orphans offer’s the ability to Help Churches (Christ’s Body) rescue and care for orphans. Is that not a powerful image of the hands and feet of Christ reaching out and pulling the abandoned, broken, and lost children into His adoptive embrace and care for them? Is that not what you do every night when you come home and your children run to you? Is that not what we are called to do? As an adopted child I say there is no feeling better than the feeling of warmth, care, and a knowing of belonging- adoption into God’s warm embrace. For 44$ you can help achieve this. To find out more click here (https://worldorphans.com/eComm/store/worldorphans_listItems.asp?idCategory=58 )
As we all know the economy has not been our best friend within the past year and does not look to make a comeback for a while. Depressing, I know. I sympathize with the families, friends, and individuals who have been led to World Orphans website and have sat there frustrated that their lack of finances are not allowing them to give to such a wonderful God blessed organization. I know of several friends who have teared up when they say “I just want to help but I cannot help out financially, I’m sorry”.
BUT now you can by just a click of your finger!
*The nonprofit agencies kicked off the GoodSearch fund-raiser last month. GoodSearch is an Internet search engine that donates a penny (or more) for each search to charities chosen by its users.*
This is a unique opportunity for ANYONE to get involved and give without changing any routine, spending extra time or having to cringe when you think about finances (well, at least not anymore than you have already). For every search 1 penny (NOT YOUR OWN but you earned it) will be donated to the World Orphans Cause. That is your contribution to World Orphans. This doesn’t cost you anything but the time you will already be spending on the computer. This is great for EVERY SINGLE PERSON- teens, college kids, adults, business’ who desire to help.
There are 3 ways in which you can help out.
OPTION 1: FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE FACEBOOKS
OPTION 2: GENERAL WEB SEARCHERS
OPTION 3: GREAT FOR LADIES or ONLINE SHOPPERS
OPTION 1: FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE FACEBOOKS
If you are a fanatic facebooker or someone who likes to get on every once in a while, this option is great for you!
STEP 1: If you have a facebook click this link first (http://apps.facebook.com/causes/1901 ) and make sure you are a part of the World Orphans cause.
If you are constantly looking things up for work or just in general like to surf the web this option is perfect for you!
( http://www.goodsearch.com/default.aspx?msg=0 )- The search engine with a unique social mission. It's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great search results, and each time you search, GoodSearch makes a donation to your cause!
TO BROWSE OR SEARCH:
STEP 1: clicked on the link above
STEP 2: there will be a section in the middle of the page that says “WHO DO YOU SUPPORT?”
STEP 3: type in WORLD ORPHANS
STEP 4: Click “Verify” to the right of where you typed World Orphans
STEP 5: Find our Name “WORLD ORPHANS (CASTLE ROCK, CO)
STEP 6 !!! NOW START YOUR SEACHERING OR BROWSING!!!
**FOR PEOPLE WHO SEARCH OR BROWSE A LOT YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF DOWNLOADING THE GOODSEARCH ON YOUR INTERNET PROGRAM:**
STEP 1: click on the link above
Step 2: right below the “WHO DO YOU SUPPORT?” you will see the 2 prompts that say
STEP 3: Follow the instructions and you will be all set up for automatic searches that allow you to use your time wisely and financially effective.
OPTION 3: GREAT FOR LADIES or ONLINE SHOPPERS
IF you are like me and love a bargain and are constantly searching for places that have discounts, coupons or better deals online than in store this is SHOPTASTIC!
(http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx )- The new online marketplace that donates A PERCENTAGE of your purchase to the nonprofit or school of your choice. You can choose from hundreds of popular merchants and the experience of shopping through GoodShop is exactly the same as going to the retailer's websites directly.
STEP 1: clicked on the link above
STEP 2: there will be a section in the middle of the page that says “WHO DO YOU SUPPORT?”
STEP 3: type in WORLD ORPHANS
STEP 4: Click “Verify” to the right of where you typed World Orphans
STEP 5: Find our Name “WORLD ORPHANS (CASTLE ROCK, CO)
STEP 6 !!! NOW START YOUR SHOPPING!!!
SOME FACTS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
*According to GoodSearch Internet search engines generated $6 billion last year in revenue from advertisers who pay a fee each time users click on links to their Web sites*
-The average Internet user spends close to 3 hours per day online. This exceeds the time that an average respondent spends watching TV, which is about 1.7 hours per day.
-The Internet is, perhaps more than anything else, a means of communication – about 57% of the time on the Internet is spent on email, instant messaging, or at chat rooms. However, unlike the phone, the Internet enables a wide range of activities beyond communication. The remaining 43% of time on the Internet – that is, the time online that is not spent on some type of communication – is spent playing games (20.3% of the 43%, or about 8.7% of the total), surfing (15% of the 43%), shopping (10% of the 43%), among a wide variety of other things.
Hello to All, I hope this letter finds you all well and enjoying the beautiful summer days. The weather here in Colorado has stayed relatively calm compared to last year at this time with tornadoes swirling around. I think we may have hit 100F a couple days this summer and I thank God for no more.
Life has continued to move on and I am trying to stay up with everything going on. My dad is currently in Ghana Africa serving at one of the many medical outreaches he does each year. My mother is hard working as always and has returned from Israel several months ago and is back and running with all of her church and prayer ministry. Julie is currently engaged and trying to find a job. Dusty is fighting fires again this summer and has had a relatively calm summer. And I am here in Colorado learning to adjust to this new chapter in my life.
These past months have been very rough and challenging for me. As some of you know I am no longer engaged. God has really been working on my heart in my personal life and has continued to bless my ministry with World Orphans. It is encouraging to know that my place is here with World Orphans and God confirms it daily. I have recently been promoted to the Director of Communications. This will allow me to help steady and keep the office in one piece while the rest of the staff is traveling as well as maintain and develop our donor and public relations campaigns. I will be overseeing and working with 3 people in our communications and design departments and am excited to get started. It has challenged me and continues to be a rewarding task to do. Terryll, our admin here at the office, is on a 3 week trip in China and I have been doing her job and mine for the past weeks. Needless to say I will be glad when she is back but I have gained more knowledge about the workings here at the office.
As for my personal life, I have labeled this life’s chapter as “Alone and Learning to Love it”. I have finally been able to make some new friends, reacquaint with some past friends and begin to enjoy where I am at in my life. God has been good and has continued to prune me where needed and water where I need growth. He has used a counselor to really help me identify where I am at in life and where I want to be. But mostly I have learned that being without a romantic relationship (i.e. ALONE) is ok and that this time in my life is for me and my first love- Jesus Christ.
My one bump in the road has been my financial needs. I have raised about 6 months worth of funds and it is already the 7th month of the year. I have such wonderful supporters and the encouragement I feel from them is part of what drives me to continue to have faith the Lord will provide. I love to hear about what God is doing in my friends and supporter’s life and how I might be able to offer my support and encouragement. Please do not hesitate to do this.
I do hope that each of you will continue to pray for me and pray about becoming a part of my financial support team. I know God has tasked me with a mighty work and I need your help to accomplish this. I would also love a chance to share more about World Orphans if you feel more called to give towards World Orphans instead of my individual needs. If you want me to come into town and speak with you and some friends, just ask. If you want me to come pray with you, just ask. I pray blessing upon all of you and may God continue to protect and bring you and your families closer to him this summer.
Serving God By Serving His Children, Jenna M. Howard
- Director of Communications Jennah@worldorphans.org www.Worldorphans.org Office: 720-362-4881 www.JennaMarieHoward.com "Serving God by Serving His Children"
I am unique, one of a kind, and most of all God's child. Laugh long hours knowing that it is the only free medicine that is a cure for everything! My life has been full of pain, joy, tears, laughter, heart ache and love but I will never ask for a different life or take back one thing that has been placed in my path. I am the Director of Communications for a non-profit called World Orphans and I have chosen to make a difference, an impact, in a child's life because someone made an impact, a difference in mine.I now have the opportunity and privilege, to open up new windows & swing wide the doors to this able country and cry out for the need of God’s children.
PS 18: 2
But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.
