Friday Morning Adventures

Just a little bit of our Friday morning.....

So basically, this morning, my mom had a lot of adoption errands to run. On the way to town, she drive past a huge turtle, and turned around just to show me. The picture doesn't do justice of it's size, 'cause it was THE biggest turtle I've ever seen (besides at aquariums, zoos, and such). And before we left, we broke out the pinini presser. A friend of ours handed it down to us, thankfully, because this thing is like a little piece of heaven. It came with a book full of different recipes and ways to press. Seriously, your possibilities are endless with this!

New and Improved Tuesdays!

Every Tuesday morning, my mom gets together with several other ladies for bible study at church. It typically goes from 10:00, to 2:00 (you know girls and their chit-chatting) while their kids are watched in the nursery. But usually, the older kids (sooo, the homeschoolers) go to a friends house that's near but lately we've been hanging around the church. Well now, there's 6 girls, which basically is just a recipe for disaster right there. So to help prevent the drama, an incredible teen, Mindy, has taken on the responsibility of hosting a bible study for US. It's pretty awesome actually. We cover different women in the bible, while munching on snacks and afterwards it's craft time! So in comes Pinterest ;) It's just really great and I can't wait to start writing about our new and improved bible study Tuesdays!

(here are some pictures from our previous Tuesdays....)

Live Like You're Dying

When I was a little younger, not too long ago, I would question my Christianity and relationship with God. Probably around the age of 9 or 10. I would think, 'well I'm just a kid, by the time I'm an adult I'll be a better Christian.'. Well that's not the way it goes. Sorry to break it to ya. But I was completely wrong! I've lately been really thinking about the saying "live like you're dying". Just like people say, you can't go on living life then when you get older decide to follow God, just so you can secure a spot in heaven. That's not the way it works!! And I used to think that was a good plan, until I realized, we don't know when we're going to die! We don't and we never will. It's one of those 'for me to know and you to find out' moments. Just picture God saying it. 


Now, I get a lot of comments/compliments on how mature I am, and how I must be this amazing 12 year old to have the faith in God that I have, and the advocating interests that I have. I'm not saying I don't appreciate them, because I do, I love getting those humbling comments. But the answer is, no you don't have to be some amazing person, you don't have to be born that way (I don't know if that's even possible), you just need God. That's all. Once you realize it isn't all about you, and that God is bigger and better then this world, you have it. You should automatically feel the burden God left on your heart, that you just opened your eyes to see. This relates to Proverbs 24:12 (take a look at my header). Of course, if you were born into a Christian family, and brought up to love Jesus, then you might ask Him into your heart at a young age, like I did. And I am so grateful and blessed to have the family that I do, because I don't even want to imagine where I would be now if I didn't have them to teach me about Christ. I know so many kids that aren't living in a God loving home, and I see how that truly does effect them and their lives. 

 But back to the subject of 'you're never too young'......... 
If you have felt God calling you to His service, DON'T ignore it. No matter how old you are. Even if people are telling you are are too young, too uneducated, too in-mature, don't listen to them. I have grown in maturity, and God, through advocating for orphans and loving on the extra special ones in the world. The way I look at it is, God didn't hang out with the wealthy and privileged because He thought they were better. He tended to the weak and the poor, the sick and the helpless. So that's what I am doing. Tending to the weak, lost and suffering. Being the voice for those who have no voice. And I am not alone, I have such inspiring and amazing friends around my age, encouraging each other and sharing the same dream and interests as I do. And I know God put them in my life for a reason. I know that he has a purpose for each and every one of us. We just have to believe and trust in Him, with all of our hearts, souls, strength, and minds. 



Love,
Genesis

Grandkid #11

I can't type all my excitement into this one post, but I'm gonna give it a try! Since this is my personal journalism blog, I thought this would be the perfect place to share this exciting news.... Grandkid number eleven is on the way! And no, it's not us, but my aunt Tanya!! 

 Congrats to the amazing aunt, mom, wife, sister, daughter, cousin, and friend,Tanya!!! (a.k.a. 'TT') And the awesome uncle, friend, teacher, son, cousin, husband, and soon to be again dad, Jason!

  My little imaginative 21/2 year old cousin, Noah is gonna have a baby sister or brother! Which to him, means a little play mate ;) 


 We'll all be blessed and happy to have another little Yungmann, whether it's a boy or a girl, but I am secretly praying for a girl. The only female cousins of mine live hours away from us, and two are even states away. So I think a little girl with the (soon to be 7) boys would be pretty nice ;) Besides, I need someone I can model my hair clips on, make handbands for, do photoshoots with, all that girl stuff! I mean, for the past several years, I've been looking at little pink and purple girl clothes, dresses, sandals and saying "I need a little girl!" and obviously, haven't got it.... So if I could finally have a baby girl that's related to me, and lives less then 30 minutes from me, I would be in heaven :) But like I said, I'm a static either way! 
 

We Were Made For More Then Sitting on the Sidelines

Well, I guess the title says a lot. I've just been thinking lately, there are tons of people out there that just live their life to live it. And let me start out with saying, we are NOT here just to live our lives because we have 'em. That doesn't just mean don't take it for granted, it means don't go through your everyday life doing the same thing, over and over again- sitting on the sidelines. Each and every one of us were made by the creator and kind of the universe, God. He gave His only son to die for us and our sins!! Doesn't that mean something to you? We now have a choice and a chance to live for that all mighty, powerful, loving Father.... and I choose to. In fact, I asked Him into my heart when I was 5 years old. 

If you're one of those people that feel like they're just going through the motions and can't find a good enough reason to live, here's your reason. It's a pretty good one too! I promise you, once you give your life to Jesus and trust in Him with all your heart, (...soul, strength, and mind...) you will be a different person. Your life will automatically change and you will see things differently. How does that sound, having a whole new perspective of life? And all you gotta do is pray. I won't go on with the details on prayer right now, but one thing to remember is that you can say anything, anywhere, at anytime because He is ALWAYS listening. I for one, have experienced dramatic changes and miracles. My family has had some ups and downs just like all families do, but like I say- Good will always come out of the bad. I can always count on that when I have God by my side.... and He is never leaving my side. Especially when I'm doing something to glorify Him.
Philippians 4:19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:31-32³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  

When we are making a difference in Jesus' name, He is right there, like always, supporting us and providing us with everything we could possibly need. That's why I have such confidence when it comes to adoption. Because I am confident in the Lord, and I know whatever happens, it's all part of His plan and He is in control. The important part is remembering not to take control ourselves. No matter when, what, where, when, or how, God knows best and has a will and a plan for us and our lives. Everything happens for a reason. Even the bad stuff. Sure, there are things I've said or done in the past that I'd like to take back but I would be messing with God's plan. You know those movies like Back To The Future, where when they go back a certain time or place and or do something and it messes up something else? That's where the little saying Everything happens for a reason comes in. It took me a while to be able to say this, but when people ask me "If you could go back in time what would you do differently?" I would say nothing. 


So go out there and make a difference! Change someone's life, or make someone smile, just don't sit around your comfy warm house while there are cold, starving, lonely children in desperate need all over the world. When you stand at the gates of heaven, God isn't going to want to hear about your little victories in life or what you did, but how much love you put in Christ and in the people around you. If you truly love God, you will have a natural feeling of guilt and disturbance, and heartbreak for the orphans and widows, homeless, hungry, or the most saddening of all- the people without Jesus Christ. 

Sisterhood

Yes, I am the only girl (besides my mom, of course) in our family. We're currently in the process of bringing home my 5th brother! But you know, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, our heavenly father. Well in 2009, a girl named Madison contacted me. She emailed me about adoption. Now at the time, we were still waiting for God to show us the right child(ren) to commit to on RR. While Madison's family was in the process of adopting a little boy with Down syndrome. Long story short, we continued talking but it would go on and off through emails. Until I found Madi through a friend on facebook and that's when we 'clicked'. Fast forward 2 years.... I eventually started texting Madison's older sister, Amanda, and we three became close. One day, Madi came up the brilliant idea to start an advocating blog together! Amanda asked if she could join, then the two invited their good friend Caitlin to join in as well. I had never 'met' Caitlin, but we're just as close now, as Manda, Madi and I are (it's amazing how advocating can bring people together!). So we came up with Guardian Angels.

The four of us now fundraise for an adopting family every 2 months. Not only is God allowing us to help amazing families, but he has given me 3 beautiful, God-loving, awesome big sisters. All the late night phone calls, time difference, texting, facebooking, it's all part of our 'sisterhood :) And one day, if it's God's will, we'll meet in person! Whether that means me coming to Oregon, or them traveling to Florida. I love you guys!!

Caitlin (17)

Amanda (16)

Madison (14)

Love,
your little sister from Florida


 

It's a Cold Life

"Cold, cold, go away, come again some other day."

I'll start off with saying, I don't have a very strong immune system. I catch things constantly! So Zane and Gabe were generous enough to hand it down to me ;) I've had this runny nose/sore throat since Tuesday, and thank you Lord, I'm getting better! I'd say the key is Vick's. VapoRub, Vaporizer, I've been on it ever since and it's working. But over-all, it's just a minor cold. Gabster on the other hand...not so much. Poor kid has a wet cough, runny nose, and who knows what else! He could have a sore throat, but obviously, how are we gonna know?! But we do know that he has a scheduled dentist appointment for March 19, that we've been waiting on for over 4 months. He has to go under major anesthesia, to have almost all of his teeth removed. Which means he has to be completely healthy. So yeah, prayers are appreciated!! We've been on a 5 month waiting list to get in for this app. and we're not planning on missing it! We're all more then ready to say goodbye to bad breath and bloody gums!!! 

I'll leave you with a couple pictures of Gabster....

Thanks,
Genesis