Tag Archives: miracles

Amazing People, miracles

what miracles are made of ~ one child’s amazing story

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Her name is Annabeth. She was perhaps the most delightful child I’d ever met—beautiful, charming, and keen wit about her. With her dark curly hair and big brown eyes, this adorable child had her mom and two grandparents wrapped around her little finger. She appeared shy as we introduced ourselves, but it wasn’t long before she warmed up to us and was once again a carefree little girl with a huge personality. Right there—waiting in line to attend The Presleys’ Country Jubilee in Branson, Missouri—Annabeth stole my heart.

—Four-year-old Annabeth

Once we found our seats, my newfound friend, Carrie (also known as Sissy), along with her wonderful mom and dad, and of course, Annabeth, were seated right behind us. That was the beginning of a friendship that has grown over the past eight years. Although we live 500 miles apart, Carrie and I connected on Facebook, and I have literally watched her little family live life.  

No one would have suspected this lovable child—cuter than a bug’s ear—would have a troubled past. How much trouble can a four-year-old accumulate in such a short time? Certainly more than her adoptive, single mom bargained for. Annabeth, a bi-racial child in the state’s child care services, had been in fourteen different foster homes at the time Carrie adopted her. Being a “crack baby” at birth, she was not easy to care for. Nonetheless, God had a plan for her life, just as He does for all children. When Carrie made the decision to adopt, God had Annabeth in the right place at the right time.      

Annabeth’s grade school years were met with challenges, yet in spite of her learning disabilities, she is full of life and joy wherever she goes. She adores her big family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Being in a Christian home, Annabeth learned to love Jesus with all of her heart. She loves her church (pastored by her Papa and Nana), her youth group, and singing. And sing she does! But there was still something missing in her life—siblings.

Annabeth and her mom began to pray for her a little brother or sister, and preparations for the baby’s room began. Time passed slowly, yet Annabeth’s faith never wavered. When she was seven years old, Carrie had the opportunity to adopt a newborn baby boy, and the following month, she was offered a newborn baby girl. She accepted both babies and Annabeth’s double-miracle happened.

  —Annabeth and her miracle babies!

Life for this little family was sheer bliss for the next two years. Jayce and Chloee were like twins—both learning to do new things at the same time. Carrie’s quiver was full, and Annabeth couldn’t have been happier with her little brother and sister.

  —Annabeth, Jayce & Chloee

However, when Jayce (called Bubba by his sisters) turned two years old, their heartwarming story took an unusual twist. He was diagnosed with an incurable disease called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) that would snatch him from his mother’s arms a few months after his third birthday. It was unthinkable that this miracle baby would be taken away so soon. The sorrow that gripped this family was unconscionable, as my sweet friend and her two girls grappled with the painful loss. It has now been two years since Jayce left them physically, but he has never left their hearts.

  —Carrie and Jayce

Just a few days ago, Carrie told me that nighttime prayers still include Jayce as a member of the family. Both Annabeth and five-year-old Chloee continue to talk to Jesus about their brother. One will say, “Jesus, tell Bubba this happened today,” and the other, “Oh, Jesus, remember to tell Bubba that I said….” There are few days that go by without tears from one of the girls, if not the whole family, over the big empty hole in their hearts.

  —Chloee & Annabeth

Yet for people of faith, there is always hope—hope for a better tomorrow, hope for happier times, and hope for another miracle. Although they have walked through difficult circumstances, God is their ultimate strength, and because of Him, they have hope for the future. Recently, Annabeth told her mom that they should ask God for another baby, thinking a baby brother or sister might heal some of their wounds. Her mom said that was a great idea, except that adoptions cost $10,000 and she doesn’t have the money.

That’s when Annabeth had a BIG idea. While one of her disabilities is not being able to comprehend time or money, she believes that she can help raise the funds needed. Her BIG idea was this: she would paint a picture for everyone who donates to their adoption fund. Thus, the “Art for Adoption” fundraiser was born. You see, Annabeth has been drawing and painting for much of her short life, and she has honed her skills such that she knows in her heart she can do this.

  —Annabeth

Annabeth’s story reminds me of Mary in the Bible, the one who broke her alabaster box of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. While bystanders criticized her for being wasteful, Jesus called it a noble act of love. Then He said an amazing thing: “She did what she could.”  

Annabeth decided to do what she could to help her mom raise money to adopt another child. It seems strange to me that adoption is so expensive. Most states are overrun with children needing homes and yet the bar of being financially qualified is set so high. But nonetheless, Annabeth is accustomed to her God working miracles—so she is busy doing what she can.

  —Annabeth at her art table

When I saw Carrie’s post on Facebook announcing Annabeth’s plan, my heart was stirred. I clearly heard the Lord whisper how much I was to donate. Because doing what we can is contagious, I wanted to be part of their miracle. I messaged Carrie and told her what God had spoken to me, and that I wanted Annabeth to paint me a picture of a sunrise—something that represents a new day and a new beginning for their family.

A few days ago, I received my package of art for adoption in the mail. I was delighted, but also a bit astonished that this picture was painted by a twelve-year-old! It is painted on canvas, a miracle in itself as another doner brought Annabeth a boatload of real painting supplies. It was Annabeth’s idea to paint a little swing hanging in the tree in my picture—an empty swing now—that represents her faith in God for a new brother or sister in the future.

  —A New Day

This dear-to-my-heart painting hangs in my house where I can see it as a reminder to pray for Annabeth’s next miracle. It has become a conversation piece, and everyone is amazed when I share her story.

Today, I share Annabeth’s story with you. If you want to be a part of making her miracle happen, there are different ways to donate below. She is very creative and paints most anything, including popular action figures for kid’s rooms. Annabeth has been busy in the past few weeks painting the requests that have come in from doners. Be sure to check out Annabeth’s Gallery at the end of this article for some of her completed paintings. She sometimes paints-on-the-move and totally enjoys each new challenge!

 —Annabeth painting on the move!

Perhaps you can’t help financially, but you can still be a part by giving your prayers for Carrie, Annabeth, and Chloee. These things—the things we can do—are what miracles are made of. Consider the Bible stories of the boy with five loaves and two fish that fed a multitude; or the woman who had a jar of meal and a jug of oil that didn’t dry up for three years; or the fishermen who cast their net on the other side of the boat and made a great catch. When all of these gave what they had and did what they could, God worked a miracle!

“Just because we can’t do everything doesn’t mean that we can’t do something,” wrote Miriam Huffman Rockness, in her amazing book Images of Faith.

I am so proud of Annabeth—a girl with BIG faith in a BIG God—for doing what she can! Don’t forget to visit Annabeth’s Gallery! ~ Janie

TWO WAYS TO DONATE:

1)  You can donate to Annabeth’s adoption project by contacting Carrie via email at  momma23miracles@gmail.com  for more information.

2)  You can donate through the GO-FUND-ME link to Art for Adoption. Place cursor over the link below; then press control and click to follow the link. Then click on “Contact” in the Organizer section. This takes you to a screen to type your name, email address, and message about your picture.

https://gofund.me/c40a5255

(If this link doesn’t work properly, copy & paste the above line into your browser.)

Note: When deciding on your donation amount, please take into consideration that the cost to mail your picture to you is approximately $10. Thanks!

~ ANNABETH’S GALLERY ~

You can request a painting from your own idea or request a painting similar to one of Annabeth’s paintings in the gallery.

  —Better Together    

  —America the Beautiful

  —Forever Friends

  —Farm Charm

  —A New Day

  —Morning Surprise

 —Delightful Dolphins

  —Pete the Cat (Personalized)

 —Flash (Personalized)

 —Always There

THANK YOU!

Holidays

This Must Be the Place Believers Come

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Sometime during this Christmas season, I recommend that we make a visit to the manger scene in Bethlehem. Of course, we will have to visit it in our hearts and in our minds. The song says, “This must be the place believers come.”1 I’m a believer, so yes, it is fitting and proper that I should come—and you, too. Perhaps we each have a list of the things we are looking for this Christmas. We’re not sure just where to find them, or if they can be found at all. So with my list in hand, I come to the manger.

First, I find realness—the age-old story is no myth—it is real! The Baby Jesus was a real human being. He felt the trauma of the birth canal and the drafty night air so unlike the womb. He heard the strange sounds of barnyard animals. We can relate to this Baby for He is one of us. In a world crying for realness, this must be the place believers come.

Next, I find humility—the Creator had to stoop low in order to come down to our world as a helpless baby. I fear we are missing this all-important ingredient that lays at the very foundation of the manger: A humble God loved us enough to be born in a cattle stall. Aren’t we are tired of the hype, the fanfare, and the emptiness felt from having more and enjoying it less? I know I am. I want to come down too, so this must be the place believers come.

Then I find a promise kept—God promised to send a Savior into the world to rescue lost mankind—and He did. Promises kept are a rarity these days. We no longer expect our leaders and politicians to even pretend that they keep them, because they don’t. But in that obscure manger scene we find the fulfilment of God’s promise to us. Oh, for certain, this must be the place believers come for a promise kept.

What I find next is a miracle—The Son of God being born as Mary’s baby boy was nothing short of a divine miracle. Yet, many don’t believe in miracles any more. Its old fashioned, they say; mere fantasy. But at that meager birthplace we find God Himself in that manger! How did that happen? Oh, this must surely be the place believers come for miracles.

The next item on my list is hope. Our present world is so desperate for hope, but then it always has been. You see, the Bible tells us that we were without hope in the world. We were destined to spend eternity in a dark place, away from God. But when that miracle Baby drew His first breath—Hope was born! Yes, Bethlehem is the place believers come for hope.

Lastly, I find joy in Bethlehem!  Heaven’s Joy was poured out on us that night as the long-awaited Savior entered our world. God decreed it; the angels sang it; and Mary and Joseph held it in their arms. Joy! Pure Joy! For unto us a Child is born—unto us a Son is given. O come, let us adore Him right here at the manger—the place believers come for joy.

When you finish lingering there, and if you can pull yourself away, I hope you will tell someone else what you found. Merry Christmas to all ~ Janie Kellogg

1 This Must Be the Place, Sue C. Smith and David Moffitt, New Spring Publishing, Brentwood-Benson Music Publications, Brentwood, TN, 2001

Christian Growth, The Secret Place Secrets

I Can Do This!

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Many of us are familiar with the story “The Engine that Could” and love the psychology behind those famous words, “I think I can, I think I can!” We have been taught from childhood that if we think we can do something, then we can. And we’ve carried that mindset on into life, believing nothing is out of reach for those who apply themselves.

 

This early self-esteem teaching has also found its way into our Christian beliefs. By our words and actions, we proclaim: “I can do this!” We often quote the words of the Apostle Paul with the main emphasis on the “I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”1

 

There is one problem here—God is not looking for people who can do this; rather, He is actually looking for those who cannot. The Bible tells us: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”2

 

While Moses was leading God’s people out of slavery in Egypt, the Red Sea miracle was for one purpose—to show the power of God. It had nothing to do with the power of Moses, or Aaron, or certainly the frightened Children of Israel—but the magnificent power of the Almighty.3

 

The fact is that God purposely led the Children of Israel into an impossible predicament where they could do nothing for themselves.4 Nothing within their own power could deliver them from that set of circumstances. They clearly could not do this! It would take nothing less than a miracle of God to rescue them.5

 

Do you ever wonder why God doesn’t allow your life to stay nice and normal? Believe it or not, in spite of our early training in self-esteem, the problem actually lies within the statement: “I can do this!”

 

Leaving the normal—our comfort zones—will always require us to be stretched. While we don’t like the stretching, it is the trips outside the normal that place us smack-dab in the middle of circumstances where God is able to show Himself strong. How else could God use our lives to display His power if you and I always lived up to the self-esteemed position of “I can do this?”

 

The short answer is—He can’t. Many people can handle the status quo—the unsaved, the unbeliever, the atheist—all can do this. Without challenges, the whole world can do this. But that is not what God’s children are called to do. We are called and chosen to show the world His power and His greatness.6

 

We will find ourselves questioning God when difficult times come our way if we do not understand His purpose. The complaining Children of Israel certainly didn’t; in fact, they literally thought it would be better to go back into slavery than to walk outside their comfort zone! Sound like anyone you know?

 

If our lives are yielded to the purposes of God, we should expect to find ourselves in impossible situations on a regular basis so that His power can be shown to the world through our powerlessness.

 

That is the very substance miracles are made of: Our weakness + God’s power = Glory to God! And the formula works every time.

 

If you and I desire to be used to bring glory to God, we must be willing to be s—t—r—e—t—c—h—e—d! Are you? If so, God is looking for you! ~ Janie Kellogg

 

Small footprintKey Scripture: But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.4

 

Small footprintKey scripture: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.6

 

1Philippians 4:13; 22 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJ); 3Deuteronomy 4:37; 4Exodus 9:16 (NIV); 5 Exodus 14; 61 Peter 2:9 (NIV)