Hooray...almost here!

Can't believe it.......I'm going back. One year ago I hadn't even been to Ethiopia! Now I'm dying to go back! :) Tonight the family(minus 6) all got together so we could hang out AND so that I could have one last yummy meal!:) Thanks Mom for dinner and thanks Em for the yummy fruit pizza! :) Here are some pics.......I already know I have huge family support but huge OH supporters also! :)

I'm sure gonna miss this little guy for 10 days!

Some of my biggest fans...:)

Thanks for helping me pack...and for the fruit pizza!!!My parents....I'm so blessed.
I had to add this one....such cute girls...! I was saying "open your eyes" and she thought I said open mouth....ha! :)

Thanks Bec for packing all 3 of my donation bags! :) Amazing! Wish you were going!:(

I truly am blessed. Thank you ONCE again for giving so I can go. Please be praying for our team that we will truly shine the light of Jesus................and that we would give all of ourselves to serve these children and people of Ethiopia. I will TRY and get on and write but just in case.... Please follow along at the Ordinary Hero blog. Oh, and be watching those that bought a sheep......can't wait to show pictures!:) Off to get some sleep! Love ya, Rachel

7 days.....

In 7 days...this is where I'll be standing..but it will be at about 4:00am! yikes!:)

This year I have the privilege of going with 4 other friends from church! So, I'm sure the picture will look a little different. Hard to believe just a year ago on July 14, 2010, my mom and dad were taking me up to Chicago...my heart is full with the thought that I get to go back...that God is allowing me to go back.
Here are a few things that we've been praying for and you can too! :)

* As we get last minute stuff organized. (and for all of our luggage to make it!)
* As we leave our family.
* Health while over there.
*That we would be a blessing and huge help to Ashli's orphanage.

* For our hearts to overflow with God's LOVE and compassion for these children.

* That God will open doors with opportunities to share God's love...

*Lastly, that we will bring joy to these children.....by finding them a forever home!!!!

Oh, I can't wait.......

Not sure how much I'll be blogging over there. I'm not so patient when it comes to waiting for Internet connection! :) But, Kelly is a lot more patient then me....so you can follow the Ordinary Hero blog :)

Last thing.....here are 3 amazing blogs that you have to

follow. read. & share with others.

1. My best friend.........they just left for Malawi, Africa for 2 years with SIM.

http://voightsinmalawi.blogspot.com/

2. Jen, my sweet friend....just announced in March they are adopting from Ethiopia and are literally almost done with the Homestudy...wooohooo!

http://orangejuiceblog.blogspot.com/

3. Chris, basically my 2nd mom....going with me to ET and then Zambia in August!!!

http://gowherehesendsyou.blogspot.com/

Funny thing is....these 3 are all related! God is working in this family! wow!

God bless! -rachel

Won't you stand up....and use your voice

Well, after the Light the Fire event one of my good high school friends told me about how the event touched her.....in her own words....

"Thanks so much for inviting me Saturday. I have been so touched, and moved. I can't even explain it! I have been moved to tears everyday since the event. I can't stop thinking about it! I don't know what I am supposed to do, so I have just been praying. I would love to begin helping in any way I could, so if you have something in mind let me know. I know I don't go to your church, but would love to be involved.
When I got in the car to leave your church, I happened to be driving ........car. He had a CD in that I had been listening to. As I turned on the radio, a song was just beginning, and I just sobbed as I drove. It hit me hard, and I can't stop listening to it. It is called "Stand Up" By Sugarland. Here is a link so you can hear it. Enjoy!" http://www.metrolyrics.com/stand-up-lyrics-sugarland.html

Since hearing this song....all I can think of is...I want to stand up for those that can't SPEAK UP for themeselves. While standing up for them....I need to also be focusing on how I can show Crist's love!

"Open your mouth, judge righteously,and plead the cause of th poor and needy..." Proverbs 31:9

Will you stand up and use your voice?
Go to ordinaryhero.org and sign up for the "SPEAK UP" emails they send out with children that are...wanting/needing/dreaming/asking/hoping/wondering/wishing/praying/waiting/ for someone to show them GOD's LOVE! So, I hope I gave you just one little reason out of a million why you SHOULD STAND UP and use your voice! :)
Please be watching the Oridnary Hero blog as we visit and care for many orphans....that truly need you.....will you open your heart to a little one....or share a little face that stands out to you...with a friend or a family member? :)

How are you going to stand up and use your voice?

2 weeks from today...I will be in Chicago...getting ready to head back to ETHIOPIA! :)

two cuties...

I truly am blessed by all of you who have supported me...in sending me back to Ethiopia! So so so so blessed!

Here are two cuties that supported me when the huge $500 Ordinary Hero grant was going on! Thanks to all of you...I WON! :)

Ada touring in San Francisco wearing an OH shirt!:)

Here's Lacey stylin' with some OH gear! :)

Both of them have really great moms....that wanted to support me so they bought some cute OH shirts for their kiddos! :) Thanks Jen and Leah!:)

Thanks again X1,000 for those who supported me when the fundraiser was going on...!

Here is a list of all of those who supported me with buying OH gear!:) Jennifer Post, Emily Hauter, Jen Keedy, Amanda Kniep, Holli Willmert, Trina Saunders, Laura Shores, Noelle Frazier, Ashley Alderfer, Anne Hauter, Rebecca Ultch, Leah Lennington, Lisa Willmert, Jean Miller, Jim Scime, Shelley Hauter, Carol Unsicker, Stacy Hadlock, Sara Watts, Jenny Shores, Rachel Fitch, Kristy Seckler, Molly Acord, Barb Calderhead, Faith Bunton, Judy Reinking, Michelle Goehner, and Rachel Snow............................................................truly blessed!!!! Thank you everyone...and obviously thank your husbands for me....:) Please let me know if I missed your name! :)

I can't wait to see all those sheep and to FEED the kids! Oh my!:) Can you tell I'm getting sooooo excited its getting so close! :)

getting closer...

Thought I would share some pictures from Ethiopia! Every time I go through my album of ET pictures....it just makes me long to be there! I am so blessed to be able to GO BACK. So excited to see what God is going to do leading up to our trip and while we're there. I can't wait to come back and advocate for the orphans....and to see the children find families that will love them forever and EVER.......

Just thought I'd share some pictures that have made me get even more excited about going back to Ethiopia! :)

ONE MONTH from today LORD willing I'll be in Ethiopia (oh and bringing with me...4 friends:)!!!!!!!!!!!!

Missing....

I have a little bit of a void in my heart these days.....

I left all of these kiddos over 10 months ago....and can't wait to squeeze and laugh with them again...in about 38 dayssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lost all 10 of these not even a week ago....can't wait to see them over the summer and sadly watch them WALK (right past my classroom)INTO THEIR Kindergarten classrooms in the fall...;( (BUT OH so proud of them!!!!) :)

But most of all......my heart aches for these two.....It has only been 5 days and I already can't stand it not knowing what they are doing and experiencing for the first time down in Texas. Something that I KNOW I have to get use to..... :( And I know I am thankful for many picture texts, emails, facebook, phones calls, and skype!!!!

****Next post coming soon...about donations needed for the Ordinary Hero trip...I have my "2nd mom" going with and 3 great friends....soooooooooooo excited for them to EXPERIENCE ETHIOPIA...................! Please keep us in your prayers as the trip is getting close....I believe 38days!!!! :)

Event recap...finally!

This is a little late....but thought its always good to go back and be reminded on how awesome God is...:)

It was exciting to have Kelly come from TN to speak to our church & community. It was good seeing her again and just to be able to hear from her heart. I believe that the event inspired, touched, moved, informed, and led people to seek out those in need....and not just to adopt....but to serve others. So thankful for you Kelly.....and the example you are to so many....thank you for sharing your heart for the fatherless and encouraging us to do the same!!! Thank you to everyone that served at this event....and planned for the event...and PRAYED for the people attending the event. Here is the Called2Care group(minus a few)that helped with the event. Jami Kaeb is also in the picture!!! So thankful that Jami was able to come share her HEART for children and families that are in the foster care system! What a BLESSING she is........excited I finally got to meet her....:) My Aunt Shell also got up and spoke about an awesome opportunity! Its called New Horizons for Children it is a summer hosting program. Go check out the website for more information! If your not interested...be sure to pass it on to someone else! :) :)

It was nice having my good friend Whitney Winkler and her brother Andrew come and lead us in worship! Thanks Whit!!! So thankful for you...and your flexibility with the event!

It was nice that Kelly was able to stay until Sunday so that she could speak to our SS classes and we could have a Q&A time! She's a pro at answering questions!:)

I can't wait to take some of these shoes over to Ethiopia...and place them on so many children's feet! Would you like to send over donations?....let me know if you do! :) LESS than 2 months away and I'll be in ETHIOPIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So excited how the Lord has planted seeds of adoption on many hearts....not sure if we'll ever know...but thankful the LORD does.