India Orphans

Hello friends,
I couldn't wait to share this picture with you! These are the orphans in India that I have written about several times. Please notice the group has grown! There are 28 new babies joining this crowd! Praise be to God! I hope you notice the 'thumbs up' we are getting in this picture. Aren't they darling? Words aren't enough to describe the joy these sweet faces bring me.

Some in the picture are without parents, some have one parent, and some have both parents. All are unable to be cared for by either their parent(s) or relatives due to finances or life situations that the parent(s) or relatives are in that are unsafe for the children. So, they are brought to the Nash Campus at Redemption Ministries in Chirala, India and are cared for here. They receive not only basic needs (food, clothing, shelter and medical care) they also receive an education (reading, writing, and math) and on top of all that and most importantly- they learn about Jesus Christ and his lavish love for them.

I must share a very proud Mommy moment with you. One of these sweet babies was sponsored by my daughter, Shelby. She worked some this summer for her father and saved her money. She gave up almost her whole summer savings to sponsor one of these sweet children. She had $20 left to spend on herself. What is so neat about it is she came up with the idea all on her own. Chad or I never asked her to sponsor a child- nope- it was her idea! So proud of my young lady! I'm sending her a 'thumbs up' today for allowing God to use her to impact the life of another!

There are several more children who need sponsorship. Once sponsorship is received they are brought into their new home. And, it's only $20 per month per child. Let me know if you are interested!

Blessings to all,
Lori

Church Sunday

Hello friends,
I have been dying to post and I'm stealing a moment away from writing for a couple of retreats that I'm teaching for this fall. And- I'm posting from my cell phone which is very tedious! Be prepared for lots of spelling/grammar errors!

I just had to share a few updates with you on this glorious morning. First, say a prayer for my baby girl who is at church camp this week. I'm missing her really bad but I'm praying a Jesus encounter for her and all who are attending!

Second, the Drain's had a marvelous time worshiping Jesus Sunday. The Praise music just lifted me right to the Throne Room of His Majesty. The message from the Word was right on and just what I needed. Does that ever happen to you? It seems sometimes that the minister must know all the personal details of my life and prepares his message to speak to my needs. Although I know this isn't true- I love the way God can use someone else to speak to our hearts!

At the invitation time several people came forward (not sure but I think 4-5 couples). Most were placing membership at the church but one couple were making a confession of faith! Glory to God! It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen! The Sunday school class they had been attending led them to the Lord. How about that!! After they made their confession- they were baptized--here is where I lost it!

An elder (who was in their Sunday school Class) baptized the man first. After he was immersed his wife enters the waters where her groom (of 30 years on this Monday) was waiting for her. He, ever so gently, took his bride (now the bride of Christ) under the water and back up. They exited the water together in newness of life. Girls- I'm not ashamed to tell you- I sobbed during the whole thing. The joy on the faces of this couple was radiant. It was obvious they shared a deep love and respect for one another. Thirty years of marriage looked good on them! But, the Holy Spirit looked better! Praise the Lord!

That wasn't all! Next the children's minister brings a young boy forward who had been saved. He repeated the confession of faith loud and proud. Just like I love to hear it! Then this young man was baptized too! I had to hold myself back from breaking out into a praise dance right there in the aisle!

Next, an older lady had came forward for prayer. An elder prayed with her and then he turned to the congregation for intercession help. There was, as he described it, a life or death situation going on for a man in this ladies family. The congregation joined hands and we stormed the Throne Room of Heaven asking for deliverance for this man (whether he wanted it or not).

Honestly girls- I was completely spent by the time we left church but there is nothing on earth I'd rather pour forth my energy for. This was the church working as it should. I felt so blessed to be a part of it-even though I didn't know a single soul!

Thank you for allowing me to share with you! The rocks would cry out if God wasn't praised- He is worthy!

Say a prayer for me as I write this week!

Love to all,
Lori

God's Workmanship

Hello friends,
Long time no post! Allow me to share with you a verse I have been studying. It happens to be one of my favorites because it is filled with hope. I don't know about you- but I can use a daily dose of hope! Can't seem to get enough hope? Look to Jesus my friend. Here goes:

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

I believe this verse overflows with hope. Here is why. First, you and I are a workmanship. And, not just anybodies workmanship- God's. We are created in the very image of the Creator. Take a momment and let that fact really soak in. Often times I skip over this reality. Something about me resembles Jesus. Now- I certainly fall very, very, very short of Jesus- but somewhere within there is a 'hint' of Jesus. That really excites me!

The word workmanship (based on my very little knowledge of the Greek language) is the word 'poiema' which means "poem, masterpiece, to make something new, with the implication of using materials already in existence, to make, to fashion". I love the idea that we are God's poem. He is working to create a masterpiece of poetry in each of us. Every line of our individual poem is unique. Sometimes the lines created in me have been more like a funeral dirge than a hopeful sonnet. That my friends is a part of the masterpiece.

What I love most about this word is 'the implication of using materials already in existence'. What a sweet reminder that God has given us everything we need to do the work he has called us to. The materials are already there- God is just working to fashion or mold them into what they need to be in order for us to fulfill our calling in Christ Jesus.

I wonder if you are growing weary in the work God has called you too. It is so easy to get discouraged but don't let yourself! That is exactly what Satan would want. Don't give in. Remember, God prepared this work in advance for you to do. He help you see it through until completion. Find your hope in him. Remember- "The One who calls you is faithful...".

Today, I'm allowing God to write a new line of my life poem. I'm not growing weary but stronger. I refuse to give in even when the going gets ruff! I'm trusting in the One who is faithful! I wonder what my new life line will read? Oh the possibilities with God!

Loving the One,

Lori

Isaiah 43

Hey there girlfriends,

Just wanted to drop a fresh reminder post for you today. Please enjoy a portion of Isaiah 43 from the Message:

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You are mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end-

Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. So don't be afraid: I'm with you."

I hope this is a reminder of how very much you are loved. I can't count the times I've felt like I'm swimming in rough waters or I've been between a rock an a hard place. How about you? If your there today- remember Jesus paid a huge price for you! He is YOUR personal Savior! He will never leave or forsake you! He would sell off the whole world just for you! What an amazing comfort the very thought of God loving us so much! I hope it brings a smile to your face today~

Blessings,

Lori

Decoration Day

Hello gals,
I just wanted to hop on here and tell you something that has me a bit rattled today. Allow me to give you a bit of background information first.

As many of you know my sweet mother passed away over a year ago. For those of you who have lost loved ones I know you understand the pain loss can bring. I miss mom. As simply as I can say it-I miss her to the bone sometimes. I am, however, thrilled that she is with Jesus today. I have discovered that when a loved one dies there are all kinds of new things you have to learn to deal with and take care of- grief being only one of them. It seems the 'stuff' surrounding loss seems endless. It has been a year and a half since mom died and there is still to-do-type stuff that keeps coming up!

Now, let me get to the rest of the story....this past Sunday was 'Decoration Sunday' at the cemetery where my mom is buried. My dad purchased all manner of flowers to place on her grave and the real stuff too! None of that silk stuff for my mother! For those of you who purchase silk flowers- there is absolutely NO condemnation whatsoever here! I say that from my dads point of view! His beautiful bride of 42 years is worthy of real flowers not to mention I secretly believe dad thinks she may haunt him if he were to put silk on her grave! (Just kidding!) Mom had a green thumb that would rival Mr. Green Thumb himself! She could grow anything under the sun. Gardening was her favorite thing and she did it better than anyone I know. So, dad purchased a red rose bush (roses were mom's favorite), two potted arrangements of geraniums and a shepherd's pole with two hanging baskets. As morbidly as all this sounds- I must say- in my opinion, mom had the most decked out grave in the cemetery. And she deserved it! It was so decked out that my dad asked me to make a picture! (You are probably going to think we need counseling after reading this post! ha!) And, just so you know- to please my dad- I did take a picture! I should consider posting it for you to see (now I'm sure you think I need help).

Anyway, my dad called me this morning all distraught. He had went by the cemetery to check on the flowers and the shepherd's pole and hanging baskets were there but the potted plants were gone. He searched the cemetery over thinking they could have been blown away by the storms- but didn't find them. His gut reaction is that someone stole them. I keep thinking there has to be a better explanation- like maybe they did blow away and the care takers picked them up- and didn't know where they belonged. Who knows? All I do know is that my poor dad is all to pieces. And, if his gut reaction is right and someone really did steal them- I'm praying they prick their finger on the rose bush and God pricks their heart! (Is that really bad? The pricking the finger part?)

Thanks for listening/reading,
Love to all,
Lori

Very Random....

Hell to all,
Just wanted to stop in and share a few 'random' thoughts! I laugh every time I think of the word 'random' it's one of my daughter's favorites. She tells me all the time "Mom, you are so RANDOM". I must admit she is right on! My brain is working overtime these days and my thoughts are all over the map. The scripture "Be still and know that I am God" comes to mind! Yet again, rather random. But, oh, so needed!

How about a quick update on the Drain family. Shelby, my brand new 13 year old, is working for her father at the Auto Parts store. Shelby has a personality that just tickles my funny bone. Where I am 'So Random' she "Is SO TRANSPARENT". You will never have to guess how she feels about anything. She blurts it right out- let's you know right where she stands on any given issue and has absolutely no fear in telling you exactly what she thinks! Every time we are among people outside our family I cringe when she opens her mouth. I just stand there holding my breath in fear of what she might say and who she might say it to! Even though I usually stand in fear for what 'might' be said- this is one of her qualities I appreciate most. Why hold back- when we put things out there- we can deal with them. Holding stuff back and inside is what makes life difficult sometimes. I would much rather know how someone thinks or feels about me or about something I've done than have to guess! Transparency- I believe we could all use a strong dose of it. Realness (not sure if that is a word) but I desire real authenticity in my relationships! How about you!? (See- I told you I was so random!)

Gabe just got chosen to play on the All star baseball team for the league he plays in. As you can imagine-I'm one proud, but very random, mom! Gabe is growing up so fast. It is hard to believe he will be in the 5th grade this year! Where in the world does time go?

Chad is working like mad storing up for the winter. We have 287 bails of hay to prove it. All of which the whole Drain family helped with (loading, unloading, and stacking)! It was like a scene right out of Little House on the Prairie! I have to admit I love life on the prairie! Well, we don't really live out west on the prairie- but we do live in Harmony. And that's not a metaphor- there really is a place called Harmony. It feels like the prairie though. (Okay- I've gone random again).....

Don't forget about our Facebook Bible/Book Study. I hope you will join me! If you feel weird about posting on the wall- just send it to my inbox! And, if you've already read 'Crazy Love' read it again! This will by my fourth time! It's worth it! So, come on and join in the fun!

And, lastly, as random as it gets- thanks for hanging in there with this blog thing. It seems my time to write has dwindled so very much- but keep checking back.

Love to all,
Lori

Facebook Bible Study

Hello to all,
I wanted to invite each of you to join me in a summer Bible/Book Study on Facebook. If you are not a Face Book user- it's easy to join and start an account (which is free). Just go to:

www.facebook.com

Click on 'Sign Up for Facebook'

Then follow the directions listed.

Once you have an account- look on the top user bar (in blue) and click on 'FRIENDS' then click on 'FIND FRIENDS' once there-add my name in the 'SEARCH' box- 'Lori A. Drain'

Then Invite me to be your friend. I will then reply to say I've added you as my friend and you will be good to go!

If you have problems- feel free to email me or leave me a posted comment here on the blog & I will try to walk you through it!

Here is how it will work:

• You will need to purchase the book 'CRAZY LOVE-Overwhelmed by a Relentless God' by Francis Chan. You can purchase it online at Christian Book Distributors or Amazon. Or order it from your local Christian Book Store. YOU WILL NEED TO GET IT THIS WEEK!
• We will read one chapter a week for 10 weeks starting this week (June 15-21).
• After you have read the chapter sometime before Sunday at 10 P.M. post a comment about the reading, a question, or observation to my wall on Facebook. You may post this ANYTIME through the week but each Sunday at 10 p.m. is the deadline for each chapter. (So, this week you will read Chapter 1 and post a comment, question or make an observation about the reading on my facebook wall by Sunday, June 21, at 10 p.m.)
• If you have a more in-depth question or would like to keep your comment private- then send it to my 'INBOX' on Facebook and I will reply.
• I will moderate the comments and reply to any personal 'Inbox' questions or concerns you have by Monday following the Sunday Deadlines.

Please know in advance I am not a great Facebook user in that I'm still learning my way around. Feel free to post any suggestions you have! But, I thought this would be fun for all and a way for us to study together without having to meet together. So- what do you think???

If you have already read the book 'Crazy Love', I invite you to read it again with me! I personally have read the book three times and will now read it a fourth. I believe the book offers some great insight and it offers some lessons that I want to learn and live!

Looking forward to studing/reading with you!

Love to all,

Lori