And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Abe has an appointment with the neurologist today.  The same neurologist that delivered devastating news to us 4 months ago.  We left that day determined to never step foot in his office again in protest of his lack of sensitivity. (funny how that seemed like such a good idea) I completely forgot that they had automatically scheduled us for an appointment 4 months after that initial visit and we never thought to call and cancel.  We got one of those automated reminder calls yesterday and we have decided to go to the appointment.

I miss Ethiopia. I had such a difficult time processing all that we had seen and experienced in Ethiopia when we first returned home. I felt as if a piece of my heart were missing, and I longed to return to the country and people that we fell in love with while there. We were planning a return trip for this summer and then got Abe's diagnosis. Everything changed.

Immediately we dove into doctors appointments, therapy sessions and making progress. I feel like we have now settled into our "new normal" and that dull aching to return is back. I love to live vicariously through families that are traveling to pick up kids, organizations that are doing mission work or groups committed to charity work in Ethiopia.

I saw this video last night and the tears just flowed. Happy tears for the people that hold such a special place in my heart and tears that simply long to go back, set foot on Ethiopian soil and reconnect with people there. This is such a wonderful picture of the impact that one family can have in the lives of many.

Our kids watched the video with us, and as we were putting them to bed, Wick prayed for this family, thanking the Lord for the difference that they made in these Ethiopians lives.  How great that the gift of this family is still making an impact here! :)

The weekend away was just what we needed! It was full of fellowship, great food, beautiful scenery and 2 full nights of sleep. We feel so blessed to have been able to spend time with our friends from Southern Cal. What an amazing group of people. :)

Thank you Pam and Steve for letting us crash in the swankiest pad around for a second time. Your hospitality and generosity were greatly appreciated. The kids insist that they get to return the next time.

I read this book on the plane and it ministered to me in so many ways. There were so many times that I read my exact thoughts, fears and feelings as Jeanne retold their personal story. Our stories differ in many ways, but one common thread is that modern medicine isn't on our sons side but the God of the impossible is!! It spoke to me on an obvious level as a mother with a brain injured child, but it will certainly bless anyone that reads it. Her faith is inspiring and ability to see that God works ALL things for our good and His glory brought me to tears on many occasions. (always fun on an airplane)

I encourage you to view the short trailer for the book and then plan to read of the Damoff's incredible journey of faith through the life of Jacob.



We had a wonderful weekend and it was exactly what we needed. The Lord graciously provided for all of our needs and Abe slept much better for my parents! Thank you for your prayers. :) I will share pics when I get them....hint, hint!

We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request.

Thank you Amy for making this current need known! Please read the following post from Tom Davis.


URGENT! Help Feed Hungry Kids in Ethiopia and Swaziland

Friends, I need your help this month to deliver 120,000 meals to Ethiopia and Swaziland. The food situation in both countries is dire, and I'm asking you to help today with a gift.

Last month, Children's HopeChest walked right into the food crisis in Ethiopia. While I was leading a team in Swaziland, I received this urgent message from our staff in Ethiopia:

Tom, I've just gotten back from Moses' Children's Home here in Ethiopia. Their needs cannot wait and the food situation is beyond critical. I'm doing what I can to get food to the kids, but we need money right away to secure regular food for the next few months. If not, many of the kids here will risk starvation. Please help.

Moses' Children's Home is one of the orphanages in line for sponsorship. Until two months ago, their private funding was supporting this work. Now, those funds are gone, and the kids are hungry.

I was in Swaziland in January, and it's the same story there. So many hungry kids. We're launching several new carepoints, and want to make sure they are set up for feeding as many kids as possible.

Children's HopeChest has crafted rapid intervention to get food to Ethiopia and Swaziland. Here's the plan and how you can help:

$3,125 is needed immediately to send 20,000 meals to Ethiopia. This food is bound for Moses' Home, Abenezer's Home, and some of the orphanages where Ryan Brown and Gladney are working.

An additional $10,000 is needed to purchase a container to ship 100,000 meals to Swaziland for use in the CHC carepoints there. The container will remain in Swaziland and our staff will use it as a storage container for ministry items.

$13,125 for one container and 120,000 meals. Can you help us?

Use the DONATE link below to go directly to the giving page. Put "FEBRUARY FOOD PROJECT" in your note.

Look what came in the mail today???!! My awesome new long-sleeved t-shirt from Gwen.

This is a post that Gwen wrote a few days ago.  I love this girls passion for the orphans and think she does a great job of educating many ways that one can take the command in James. Gwen inspires me to radically love Jesus, to step out in faith and to be a voice for those that don't have one.  Order a shirt- you will love it.....and you will help the Oatsvall family bring home Joseph and Abigail.  



T-SHIRTS ARE HERE ... I DESIGNED THEM TO CAUSE PEOPLE TO TALK ... I pictured the Daisy as people would say "You Love Me, You Love Me Not?" and it hit me ... It is a personal choice to love the orphans, but it is a mandate from the Father that we all care for them in some way ... WHAT DOES CARING LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ... It could be adopting, sponsoring a child, helping someone fund their adoption, clothes drives/food drives for orphanages, volunteering at a non-profit, interim care, or simply buying this t-shirt to help bring my children home ... I know I am saying this to the choir... You, my blog family, have been amazing at caring for the orphans, so many of you are ACTING and we are changing this world !!! Let's keep talking about them to others and get more people involved ...
I HOPE YOU LIKE THEM ... I HAVE 100 ... SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, AND X-LARGE ... $25.00 each ... To gauge your size, I am wearing a Medium .... (pay pal on sidebar)
I am so excited to be taking this step to start the fundraising for my angels ... Much has happened over the last few days that I will blog soon ... GOD THINGS ... AMAZING HAND OF GOD MOMENTS ....
Feel free to email me any questions about the shirts ... s.oatsvall@comcast.net

I have to take a moment to give the Lord all glory, honor and praise for the work He is doing in Abe.  Yesterday was one of those special days- I could literally SEE Him working, SEE Him strengthening him, making him more aware and what a blessing it was as Abe's mama. :)

I was reading the 8th chapter of Matthew this morning and became overwhelmed at the miraculous healing that Jesus did while He walked on earth. He healed a leper, a paralyzed servant, Peter's mother-in-law, cast demons out of many and this is just in one chapter of the gospels! That same healing power is taking place in Abe and we are humbled at all of those that lift Abe's name before the Father.

We had his 3 month evaluation today with his PT- (remember our big 6 month goal of sitting up right???) Please check out Abe below showing off for us today and last week. He certainly still has much strength left to gain, but he is working so stinking hard!!  We sure are proud of him.

Charity Water also has ways to give the life-saving gift of water this Valentines Day.