About a week ago....

WINKER! It was sooo good to see him! His sponsor got to come on our trip!:)

A little baby at Restoration orphanage!

Just over a week ago I was in Ethiopia and now I'm home. Just back into the swing of things......but................yet, my heart still thinks of ALL the little ones over there....THAT are still in need. I thought I better start blogging with pictures...so I don't forget stuff! :).....I don't like posting pictures out of order...but...tonight it will have to do! :)

A little girl that lives in the village of Woliso.

Please listen to this song by Meredith Andrews. It is one of my favorites! Close your eyes and listen! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zi7P0SHoTpE

Home...

Hey everyone!

Sorry I didn't keep you updated that well while I was over in ET! I hope majority of you followed Kelly's blog....:) I think that it takes me longer to process things and to express what I'm feeling......so I promise you will HEAR or read my thoughts in the coming days and weeks. :)

But overall, I had a great time, we had a great group, and we saw things that have changed us all...so be praying for us that we'll be able to express our thoughts and the THINGS we saw.

Nothing that we saw takes God by surprise!

So thankful that the purpose of our trip was to.....bring glory to God, be a witness for Him, bring awareness to orphans, give to the needy, show Christ's love, and FIND FOREVER homes for the MANY Ethiopian children.

Please be praying for the seeds that were planted.

We made it to chicago....

Its really happening....we are in Chicago overnight and then will fly out to Dulles at 6 tomorrow!!!!!! Please be praying we make it to Dulles in time for the 12pm flight! : ) Thank you for all your prayers.......

Can't wait to hug and hold some little ones! :)

Love you guys.....

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! :)