David Hames Update

This update was sent today to Vanguard Church, the church family of the Hames family:

The State Department called Renee this morning and shared the news with her that it is official. They have recovered David’s body. Four weeks ago today we learned the beginning and now devastating news that David was in the Hotel Montana when the earthquake occurred. Over the past four weeks, we have agonized with the Hames family. Unfortunately, for Renee, the boys, family, and friends this is not the outcome we were praying for as a community of faith. God has said no to our request to bring David home alive. God has seen fit to take David home to his eternal home. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:1313 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will ALWAYS be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.David is with the Lord. We are happy for David. We are grieving with Renee and the boys for the loss of David. No, we don’t understand. No, we may never understand. But regardless, we trust the Lord. He knows best and He is our Sovereign Lord over every step of our journey. Before one day was God knows them all to be. (Psalm 139) He knew January 12, 2010 would be as it was for David, Renee, and the boys. We grieve with Renee and the boys. We love them very much. We will be coming together at our midweek service this Wednesday at 6pm for a time of worship and prayer for the Hames family. Please join us. We will have more details in the future in regard to a memorial service in honor of David.Thank you for caring the burdens through prayer and serving over these past four weeks. May the Lord strengthen you during this confusing time and may you lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path through this. Please specifically lift Renee and the boys up in prayer today. Dear God, cover them with your hand of comfort as they weep for their fallen hero. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Sincerely,
Pastor Kelly

Kindness Challenge - Day 9

9 days into this challenge I am excited that each day I am thinking about ways to show kindness to my kids. I try to teach them that when they show kindness to others that they will be blessed, and they will gain a new love for that person. I am experiencing that. Here are my acts of kindness over the last few days:

Feb. 7 - I bought the kids the Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakwel music on itunes. We listen to music a lot in the car, and I thought that would be a fun addition. We have been enjoying it in the truck on the way to and from school.

Feb. 8 - Yesterday morning, we woke up expecting a snow delay. On snow delays or cancellation days we always have hot chocolate and a big breakfast. Well, we were disappointed to find out that school was on as scheduled. I decided to give them hot chocolate anyway. They were very excited.

Feb. 9 - Today I plan to do a little act of kindness for Cody. He has a book ready for him at that library. He likes to read before going to sleep at night. He won't have anything tonight unless I go out of my way to get the book for him from the library. After school we will go the library to pick up his book. This is inconvenient for me, but will bless him.

Emotions continue...

I am sad to share this news with you, but many of you have been praying and would want to receive this update. This statement was issued today by our Senior Pastor on behalf of Renee:

Remains believed to be that of our dear friend David Adam Hames, have been recovered from the Hotel Montana and are in the custody of the U.S. government and are waiting to be transferred to Dover (DE) for final forensic examination. We don’t know how long this final examination will take nor how long it will take the military to transport the remains to Dover due to the snowstorm on the East Coast. We will post again when Renee receives the results of this examination. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Pastor Kelly

I am sad, grieving and asking God what this means for Renee and her boys. We love them deeply. We want to journey with them through this painful time. Please keep them in your prayers.

Emotional!!

I am an emotional basketcase today. The last month has been emotional for me in so many ways. Walking alongside so many hurting people. Asking God "why" about a lot things that are going on around me. It is so hard to see so much pain in so many peoples' lives.

To top it all off, today at church just continued that spiral of emotions. This month marks the third year of the partnership that Vanguard Church has with Children's Hopechest in Swaziland, Africa. 3 years ago we began sponsoring the Bhalekane carepoint. At the time our sponsorship began the children at this location were receiving approximately 3 meals a week. In the last 3 years we have fed the children at our carepoint over 250,000 meals. God is so good, and He has used the people of Vanguard Church to change the lives of these children. They are now healthy, clothed, receiving an education, and being taught about Jesus. I know that one person can make a difference, but imagine the impact that these 200 children can have in their country some day. They are beating the statistics by growing up!

The older children at our carepoint getting backpacks as a bday gift!!

The 2 children that our family sponsors - Sizwe and Bongiwe.

I have had the opportunity to spend time with these two kids. I absolutely love them. I cherish every minute I have had to play with them on my trips to Swaziland. They have a special place in my heart.

So why am I so emotional? Because today I was reminded once again of the burden that God put on my heart for Africa 4 years ago. It was in March '06 while Rick was on a trip to Norway that God messed up my pretty little picture of life. He wrecked me with the realization of what the women and children of Africa were experiencing. He gave me sleepless nights and a restless spirit. He called our family to something new, and we have never been the same.

How could I have known then that at that very time, God was knitting together in an African mother's womb the body of our little Isaiah. Right at the time that God put Africa on my heart, Isaiah was being conceived. God had a plan for our family far beyond our imaginations. He knew about it, but we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. He probably knew better than to reveal all of that to me at once. I don't think I could have handled it, then.

Meeting Isaiah

In Africa with Laila

Today I watched a video at church that broke my heart. It was of an African mom suffering with TB and AIDS. She shared about her pain. She spoke of the toll her illnesses are taking on her body. It broke me. I mean it really broke me. You see, as I looked at that woman, I saw Isaiah and Laila's mom, a woman who suffered with AIDS and TB. She literally gave up her life in order to give birth to Laila. I sobbed. I was so affected by seeing this woman and imagining what their mom was like. I feel privileged to be their mom, but they will grieve losing their birth mom at some point no matter how good a mom I am. I realize that. I pray for the grace to walk with them through that. I pray that God will use the beautiful story of how He brought them to our family as a comfort of His wonderful plan for their lives despite their loss.

Many look at our family and think we have accomplished God's calling. I say, "NO WAY!! We have only just begun to fulfill that calling." Today reminded me and rebirthed in me the desire to the ministry that we have in Swaziland. Our work has only just begun. I am broken for these people. It is personal now that Isaiah and Laila are with us. They represent all of the children that still need a family. They represent all of the children that have lost their parents. How can I ever look into their eyes and not see all the work that is left to do?

I feel like God wants to do something big. I don't know what it is, but it reminds me of the year that God birthed Africa in my heart. It is hard to seek His will. It is hard not to know. So, I wait for Him to take all of the pieces of this puzzle and create a beautiful picture of His will for my life and weave it with the lives of the Swazi people.

Kindness Challenge - Day 6 - Kindness abounds

I am really hoping this kindness thing will rub off on my kids this month. I see them treating each other in ways that upsets and disturbs me quite often.

I am enjoying thinking of creative ways to bless them. I need to backtrack on what I did the last few days to bless them.

Feb. 4th - We found out Lauren had strep throat. Yes, she was miserable so I spent most of the day again sitting and cuddling with her. I also got her a Blizzard to help her throat feel better. My blizzard made me feel better, too even though I wasn't even sick. You gotta love the Buy One Get One Free coupons!!

Feb. 5th - I went to Wal-mart and got Sam a surprise - Gogos. If you don't know what these are, you are really out of the loop. They are these little guys that you collect and play a game with. The kids also really enjoy trading them with friends. He loves them and has been very disturbed that he only had 3 and his big brother has 21. So, now he has 6. He was one happy boy. I got lots of hugs and kisses for that one.

Feb. 6th - Today, I allowed the girls to each have some time on my computer. This is a real treat for them. They like to play on Webkinz and other kid sites.

We are learning our verses and passing around the box heart. It is fun to see who gets it on their pillow each day and what the kids choose to put in it for treats.

I just so want my kids to show love to each other. One minute they can be fighting and the next they are getting along beautifully. That can occur multiple times throughout a day.

I grew up with only one brother who is 10 years younger than me. I wanted more brothers and sisters. I try to help them see how fortunate they are to have so many siblings to play with and grow up with. Friends will come and go, but they will ALWAYS have each other!!!

Jesus Likes Green Beans

Did you know that Jesus likes green beans?

He also likes peanut butter and jelly and applesauce.

He also likes goldfish and coffee.

Isaiah informed me of this today at the grocery store.

I thought that was news worth sharing!

My Cheerleader

We all need a cheerleader some days to bring up our spirits and make us feel loved.

Since Isaiah has been potty trained, Laila has become the little cheerleader in our family.

Whenever I feel discouraged all I have to do is take her to the bathroom with me.

She always claps and cheers for me when I go pee!!

Hey, some days you just need someone cheering for you no matter the reason.