marianaorphanfund

Angelina Mariyana Carpenter - MORE later but at least I can share some photos!!!

2012-02-16T04:22:00.000-08:00

ON TO SECOND TRIP TO GET HER HOME AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!!

MORE LATER TO SHARE ABOUT LINA but she desperately needs to get home as soon as possible!!

Thank you for praying...keep praying! God is moving!

Isaiah 26:8

Signed!!!! LEAVING TO SEE LINA!

2012-01-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

Signed document....LEAVING TO SEE LINA!!

PRAISE THE LORD!

KEEP PRAYING!

need to share the connection between praying for the persecuted church and the orphan...but no time at the moment!!!!

Praise be to the LORD who is able to do above and beyond what we can think or imagine!

He is to be glorified! Isaiah 26:8

Lifting up Praise to the LORD...He is able to do above and beyond what we can think or imagine!

2012-01-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

We lift up praise to the LORD! I have no words to express the joy the LORD brought to our lives today...so many things...

-a blessing from dear friends in a far away place that touched us so deeply and a dream that will one day be a reality because we serve a Risen LORD who is able to make what seems impossible happen!
- prayers that were answered in a tangible way today for many families waiting for their precious child/children
- Praises for the many many friends and family and those that we do not even know that were praying for the least of these...praying for LINA!
- praise that I WILL SOON HOLD our dear LINA in my arms and be able to love her and tell her how special she is and how much she is loved, wanted and cherished!

- praise for things that were on a standstill to be moving again and great news about our travel soon to follow...

Waiting for the much needed signature that is on it's way and travel dates that will follow!!! Praise the LORD...He is able to do above and beyond what we can think or imagine...

Isaiah 26:8 "...our heart's desire is to glorify Your Name."

MORE NEWS to follow tomorrow...I AM SURE!!! Praise HIM!!!

LOVE to all ...

Emmanuel's YOU TUBE video - check it out...special needs adopted young man!! Amazing what LOVE can do!

2012-01-17T05:01:00.000-08:00

13 West Capitol Dr. Kapitolyo Pasig City 1603 Metro Manila

632 633-0012 0921 212-9448 hfgphils@gmail.com

www.homeforgood.org.ph

January 2012

HOME FOR GOOD FOUNDATION

Dear Adoption Advocates,

We want to share some amazing inspiration with you. This is especially for those of you who advocate for special needs adoption. What a better world we live in because of the adoption of a young person featured in this video. Better grab your Kleenex before watching this! You are going to need it!

CLICK ON THIS UTUBE VIDEO

A Voice for the children who have no voice, (Pvb. 31:8)

Gerry and Maureen Clark

P.S.

Pass it on. EMMANUAL, the person on this video deserves as many hits on this U-tube video as he can get.

FREE ADOPTION MATERIALS

Adoption Music Video
DVD

Real life
Adoption testimonies
of Filipino families who have adopted
DVD

Who will Cry
for the Orphan Child?
MUSIC CD

By the way...check out HOME for Good on the web...awesome ministry and I had the most awesome opportunity to meet and spend time with the Filipino missionaries duirng AVI's adoption ...Auntie Malen and Virgie we surly do love you!!!

NOW go check out the YouTube video and get ready to cry...who knows what message each of our girls will one day have for the world! They are all lives with value and purpose!

May the LORD be glorified!!!

Forward email

Check out www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com to see the 4 art prints by the Jacobsen girls that recently sold to help Lina!

2012-01-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

Go to www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com to see the 4 art prints that recently sold to help Lina come home! Sarah, Rachel and Leslie - sisters with a brother adopted from Lina's country are being a voice for the voiceless! They are using their gifts and talents to help Lina and other children from Lina's orphanage come home!

Today 4 of their art prints were sold and all the money raised is helping to bring home LINA! Check out the site to see what prints are still available and to learn more about ART for ORPHANS by Ellianna!

PRAY FOR LINA and for the signature that is needed so I can travel to LINA's country! She needs to come home quickly!

Pray and FAST to LIBERATE LINA!

2012-01-14T16:29:00.000-08:00

Calling out for prayer and fasting to Liberate LINA!

Please pray!!

As I was seeking the LORD and crying out to him on behalf of LINA - Daniel 10 kept coming to mind! I am not sure why but I am posting it here for you to read to lay before the LORD!

Thank you for caring and for loving our little LINA!

New Living Translation (NLT)

Daniel 10

Daniel’s Vision of a Messenger

¹ In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia,^[a] Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship. ² When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. ³ All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed. ⁴ On April 23,^[b] as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, ⁵ I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. ⁶ His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people. ⁷ Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. ⁸ So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. ⁹ Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.
¹⁰ Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. ¹¹ And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.
¹² Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. ¹³ But for twenty-one days the spirit prince^[c] of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,^[d] came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.^[e] ¹⁴ Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”
¹⁵ While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. ¹⁶ Then the one who looked like a man^[f] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. ¹⁷ How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”
¹⁸ Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. ¹⁹ “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”
As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
²⁰ He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece^[g] will come. ²¹ Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.^[h]

Reposting the same Post about the amazing Cedar Crest Girl's Volleyball TEAM and also want to thank....

2012-01-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

I am reposting the same post about the Cedar Crest Girl's Volleyball TEAM - How do we say thank you enough!!! Now I also want to thank 3 amazing young men that came to our home to do a story about LINA!

I cried watching their story of our family! They have done an incredible job and we are so thankful for LINA's story being told at Cedar Crest High School by Ryan Hewitt, Taylor Sanger and Ben Stefanidas....

You all have blessed our family beyond words...Thank you!!! Thank you from LINA! Praying tomorrow is the day we have the document needed for me to travel to LINA! JOIN US IN PRAYER that Friday January 6, 2012 is the day I receive word that I may travel to LINA!

Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (New Living Translation) 1Timothy 4:12

Cedar Crest Girl's Volleyball...how do we say thank you enough for blessing our family for Christmas! Maybe this face will say it all....

And this face.....

How about these faces?

Ellianna LOVES her tent...she is in it all the time!

She loves her tent! You have blessed our family beyond what our words can express. We love you! WE can not wait to visit you at a game so Ellianna can sit on the bench and cheer you on! She can probably yell louder than any of your other fans!!! Trust me....

Thank you so much for caring so much about our family...for blessing us and for helping LINA to come home! Maybe we can have a Liberate LINA day at Cedar Crest and everyone can wear their shirts for Lina! She is coming home soon! Hey they are the Cedar Crest colors!

It was the most awesome night when you came to visit...you have inspired us and motivated us...in Volleyball lingo...psyched us up!

We love you! Thank you thank you thank you! Just want the world to know that we have the most amazing young people at Cedar Crest! Go Cedar Crest Volleyball...LIBERATE LINA!

YOU DECIDE?! Is she a snuggle "bonnie" "bug" or "buddy" - this one is for you dear Kylie!

2011-12-31T08:12:00.000-08:00

Just a funny post...

You decide...Is she a snuggle "bonnie" as I call her (YES Lisa that is Bonnie and not bunny...ha ha)

A snuggle "buddy" as Sasha calls her

or

A snuggle "bug" as Kylie calls her...

You decide...you get to vote...bonniebuddybug!

Cedar Crest Girl's Volleyball TEAM - How do we say thank you enough!!!

2011-12-27T17:34:00.000-08:00

And this face.....

How about these faces?

Ellianna LOVES her tent...she is in it all the time!

Pray for my Christmas miracle! Merry Christmas from the Carpenter Girls!

2011-12-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Angelina "LINA" Mariana Carpenter - Waiting to come home! I need a miracle for Christmas...Pray for my miracle...more later!

Avigayil "Avi" Christina Carpenter - just too cute for words and knowing it!

Natalya "Sasha" Aleksandra and Ellianna Ya-Ting Carpenter - Best Buddies...Ellianna loves to literally try to walk in Sasha's shoes!

We are blessed...blessed to know the Risen Savior Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are asked often "Why are you doing what you do...adopt children with special needs!" Well for one...look at the photos...look at how are daughters' lives are transformed by love and care and Jesus Christ! They are all miracles and Lina is a miracle in progress! The rest of the answer is because the LORD's Word tells us to care for the orphan and the widow. Just google orphan and the Bible and see what you come up with...James 1:27 is a great verse that tells us "Pure and undefiled religion is this...to care for the orphan and the widow in their distress." It means to go and see what the need is and to meet that need...what does an orphan need...an orphan needs a family! Psalm 68:6 tells us that ..."God sets the lonely in families!"

He surely does...I have so many stories of the miracles that have happened and are happening right now for children being adopted - adopted internationally and domestically! Why don't we adopt from the US domestic system is another question we get all the time. We never have said we won't...the LORD has completely picked the country and location and we are following HIS lead! Maybe someday we will and if your heart is burdened for a child whether it be locally or internationally ACT ON IT! DON'T sit and wait...do something! ACT ON IT and be a miracle for a child!

WE are so blessed and the Carpenter girls want to say Merry Christmas to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

How beautiful are the feet of our little Avi...

2011-12-20T16:19:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 52:7 ESV
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.

Oh how beautiful are the feet of our little AVI! If you did not see her feet before the castings began in August and before the surgery performed by "a miracle worker" the photos will not mean quite as much to you - But if you have seen her feet before - to see her feet now just brings a gasp! We love our surgeon...he is the most amazing and skilled surgeon and he is blessed with the most amazing gift! He has given Avi her feet...the LORD has used him to give Avi her feet!

Everyone that has touched AVI's life at the Med Center has been amazingly gentle, kind and compassionate and it never fails...everyone remarks about her amazing curly black hair! She has the kind of curls that just bounce when you stretch them out! We no longer have doctors and nurses but friends and those that love our dear Avi!

Avi had club feet! She had twisted ankles and her toes were curled over one another. She not only had club feet but she has a diagnosis of (cerebral palsy/cp) Spastic quadriplegia. Spastic quadriplegia is the most serious and disabling form of spastic cerebral palsy.

Spastic Quadriplegia is sometimes called spastic tetraplegia, is the version of spastic diplegia that affects all four limbs (arms and legs) rather than just the legs. It is defined by spasticity, rather than the paralysis that defines quadriplegia. As with all forms of spasticity, spastic quadriplegia, while affecting all four limbs more or less equally, can still contain within an individual specific case, parts of the body that are more spastic than others, such as one arm being tighter than another arm, and so forth. Spastic triplegia, meanwhile, involves three limbs (such as one arm and two legs, or one leg and two arms, etc.); spastic hemiplegia affects one or another entire side of the body (left or right); and spastic monoplegia involves a single limb

Cerebral palsy is the name for a condition in which brain damage has disrupted normal muscle functioning. For accuracy of diagnosis and treatment, researchers have divided the condition into nine different forms; some individuals with CP have a mixture of the forms. The three forms of spastic CP, spastic diplegia, spastic hemiplegia, and spastic quadriplegia, are the most common. Spastic quadriplegia is the most serious and disabling form of spastic cerebral palsy.

Spastic quadriplegia affects the entire body. Spastic refers to the muscle stiffness which accompanies the condition. Quadri—comes from the Latin for four; it means that all four quadrants of the body are affected by spastic quadriplegia. Plegia comes from the Greek term for a form of paralysis.

We never realized that casting of a child with club feet and also cp could be very difficult. We had not realized that it could be harder to correct her feet due to the cp and actually not be a method that proves satisfactory! AVI has blown everyone away with her success so far - hmmm actually it is the LORD that has blown everyone away with the healing of AVI's feet!

She no longer has club feet. HER feet are beautiful! They are straight! She has normal toes - 5 on each foot! She has normal ankle bones! HER FEET are beautiful!!!

We are so thankful to her surgeon and everyone working with him! May the LORD continue to bless them with their amazing gifts and talents to give more little girls and boys beautiful feet and the ability to walk!

So just to encourage you...If someone tells you something is impossible! Don't believe them! God can do anything HE wants to! Avi was left to lay in a crib - she was considered of no value! She was deemed worthless! She was looked at with disdain by many - "what caused her feet to be twisted" - what caused her to be so broken?"

We look at her as this beautiful miracle unfolding before our eyes. We are blessed to hold this precious child that loves to cuddle and be loved! We are blessed to watch her laugh and giggle. We cried tears of joy when the casts came off and we saw her beautiful feet! This daughter of the KING has feet that have been healed by the KING! He may have used human people - an amazing surgeon to use his skills to heal her feet...But it is the LORD that receives the glory and the honor!

WE dream that one day all our little dark haired girls will walk on stage holding hands with their older sister behind them and they will all tell the marvelous testimony of how the LORD has healed them and redeemed their lives! We dream that their story will bless millions of people that need to hear the Gospel message and that many will come to know our Risen LORD and Savior Jesus Christ because of the miracles of their lives! May the LORD be glorified this Christmas season and may the LORD bring our little ANGELINA home quickly to her sisters!

P.s. AVI is not enjoying the ponseti boots that now have to be worn for the next 3 months! Can't say I blame her...2 brace like boots with a metal bar between them. Can you imagine having to sleep like that and then wear them all day! YUCK!
She is a real trooper and eventually just resigns herself to this is the way it is and her joyful and giggling personality returns...with her smile that looks like she has no front teeth...actually she has beautiful teeth...you just can't see them when she smiles...we call her the little grandpa!

Can you imagine that anyone would think that I am not of value! Huh...they better think again! I have a lot to say and to tell you all! I have quite a personality! I love life! I love to eat real food and I LOVE sweet foods! YES I have gained quite a sweet tooth since I have encountered food! I cry if I don't get my butterscotch pudding! YES butterscotch...I have quite exquisite taste already you see! I like to be held and I cry if you don't hold me when I want to be held! I am so happy now that my feeding tube no longer is annoying my belly - its gone - no longer in my belly - at one time I had a urinary catheter for a feeding tube - was that ever painful!

I am of great value! I am a life that was created by God! I am now cherished and loved...if I have touched your heart...pray about how you too can help a child like me! There are so many more like me that need help! Be a voice for those with no voice! I will be back with more to tell in days to come because I have a lot on my mind to share! Stop back later and maybe one of my sisters will have something to share! My mom tells me that my big sister who likes to tickle and snuggle me...she calls me her snuggle buddy...mom tells me that Sasha is a gifted writer so maybe one day she will tell some of her stories and thoughts!

Oh and check out my sister Ellianna's latest "stuff" on www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas to all - hurry home sister LINA and remember it is all because of JESUS! with love from - Avi Carpenter!

The Miracle Worker - Christmas Miracle for Jonathan...read all about it!!!!

2011-12-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

Here is the amazing news! Praising the LORD!!! I am copy and pasting the news from No Greater Joy Mom's blog...the link is below to read more!!!

As of yesterday we do have a family who has stepped forward and who is qualified to adopt Jonathan. That is the GOOD news and we are rejoicing. However, as things so often go with international adoptions, this is truly going to take a miracle. Definitely not impossible (for NOTHING is impossible with the King of Kings!), but it is going to take us all praying and believing that this young man WILL come home!

Many have asked me how they can be praying specifically for Jonathan and his adoption. Obviously with time being so crucial in this case, there are many obstacles in the way and we covet your prayers. Every day counts!
~~ The family who is trying to adopt Jonathan will have to have an update done on their homestudy. While this is typically a very simple and easy thing to have done (usually just a paragraph or two which needs to be added), unfortunately with the holidays upon us everyone is busy and they are struggling to find someone to do the update in a huge hurry. Please pray that the Lord, even now, will be moving on a social worker's heart to jump in and get the job done as quickly as possible. Pray that the Father will lead this potential family to the right person who can help them.

~~ Pray for great favor in applying for and getting the visa Jonathan needs to enter the country on. With so little time before he turns sixteen at the end of this month we really do need to pray that God will move this mountain too.
~~ Finances. With no time to fundraise (because adoption is insanely expensive!), his family will have to come up with lot of money super quickly. Again...not impossible. I know that many of you have said that you would love to help. I'll keep you updated on ways that you may be able to do that later.

~~ Timing is crucial here. Please pray that things will happen in the Lord's most perfect and amazing timing.
~~ And for Jonathan. Every time I think of him, my heart aches. He knows all too well that time is ticking by and that with every day that passes his dream of finding a family diminishes. I cannot even imagine all that must be going on in that young man's head and heart right now. Fear, uncertainty, anxiety. Please pray that the Lord would put a hedge of protection around him and that He would keep him safe.
So, things ARE moving forward and there is definitely hope on the horizon for Jonathan, but getting him here truly is going to take a miracle of God. Thankfully, we serve THE God of miracles! Please keep praying that every mountain, every obstacle, and every plan of the enemy will NOT stand in the way of this boy coming home. It's a known fact in the adoption community that if you want your faith to be tested like never before...adopt a child! Why? Because this is spiritual warfare! Adoption is about rescuing children out of captivity--taking them out of darkness and bringing them into HIS glorious light. It is about the Kingdom of God advancing on the earth and many, many children being rescued from the most horrific situations our hearts could ever imagine.
http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/12/update-on-jonathan.html

I could not have said it better and I am blessed to pass on the news! With joy and thanksgiving!!!

WE HAVE VERBAL REFERRAL for LINA!!!! Praise the LORD!

2011-12-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

Angelina "Lina" Mariana Carpenter - We have verbal referral for our dear sweet girl! Praying for our written referral before the HOLIDAYS!!! JOIN us in prayer! Oh to hold her in our arms...

Today is a miracle day! Rejoicing in the news -

Psalm 68:4-6

"Sing praises to God and to His name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the LORD- rejoice in His presence!

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows -
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy..."

Miracle needed NOW this week for Jonathon!!!! PLEASE HELP!

2011-12-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

Right now what is needed is a family who has adopted internationally before. From the contact I have been given, "He needs a family that is married, can travel, and has a homestudy that can be used for immigration approval and is willing to apply for immigration in the next week. If a family is ready to apply they will work directly with the facilitator who knows him."

One week! A visa HAS to be applied for in the next week in order to save this boy!

Here's a little we know about Jonathan:

"Jonathan is apparently a very, very good boy. He has a great sense of humor which has been confirmed by other kids in his class and two children who were recently adopted to U.S. He loves to work on a computer, takes part in virtually all theatrical performances organized at the orphanage, just a great actor, very calm when not on stage, never gets in trouble, loves sports and plays soccer, played basketball and trained in light athletics, studies at good level. Jonathan is respectful to adults and older children. He is obedient and always ready to help. NEEDS A FAMILY to file for immigration ASAP, can adopt later. BEGS translator when he visits if he has found his family yet, desperately wants to be adopted. Can be chatted to on Skype as well as email."
http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/12/urgenturgenturgent.html?m=1
There is more information at my dear friend's site so please go to this site to read more!

I will post more later but I don't have time at the moment but knew I needed to share this with you NOW!!

Please please help get the word out!!!!

Proverbs 31:8-9

Be a voice for the voiceless!!!!

Miracles...

2011-12-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas miracle for Kolina! She has a family!!! Praise the LORD...keep reading to read more miracles....

Sasha is a miracle. We were told she would never walk! Here she is - once an orphan in a Russian baby house to now a young woman standing at friend's home in the Philippines on our journey to pick up her sister Avi! I wish you could read her shirt because it says "Its not about Me." She is one amazing young lady and a miracle!

Ellianna is a miracle.... she was in her first Christmas program EVER! This may not seem like such a big thing but I KNOW there is one mom out there that just sent me the most amazing blessed letter EVER(actually it was sent to Kendra and I just got it from Kendra today!). I am still crying after having read the words...I needed to hear the things you wrote...you know who you are and I don't know how to thank you for your gift and the words that my heart needed to hear. The LORD used you in a mighty way. NO way to say thank you enough!

Ellianna was standing on the stage and that is a miracle. She was ringing her bell for Jesus with all the other children in her class! She was standing! She is so full of joy and life that just to be near her lights up your world! The LORD has blessed this precious little child with a personality that no words can describe! She blesses our world just because she is in our World! Thank you LORD for Ellianna!

See her personality!

A bit more of her personality!

Here is our Avi miracle...she no longer has a feeding tube! She went from a urinary Catheter that was used as a feeding tube because that is all they had in the orphanage to a foley catheter while we were in Manila to a "normal modern" g-tube as soon as we got home in the States...and NOW no feeding tube! She is eating completely orally! She is a miracle. She has had her surgery to correct her club feet and the casts come off tomorrow! I can not express our joy at the miracle of her straight feet! She was once thought to be a nothing...of no value and of no use because of her special needs. LOOK at this precious child! Look at her personality blossoming and thriving! She will walk...she can eat...she can smile...she can cry and she can now cry some tears where once there was noise but no tears...she can giggle...she can fill a life with joy just because she is AVI! She is amazing and she is a miracle and we love her so dearly!

LINA...Angelina "Lina" Mariana Carpenter...she is a miracle child! She is a daughter of a carpenter and a daughter of the KING...and HE was the son of a carpenter! We know that her life is a miracle and we pray for a miracle this week! Please join us in prayer for our little LINA...for the LORD to get her home more quickly than anyone thinks possible!

Thank you so much from the depths of our hearts to all those that are praying and supporting our LINA! We have been in awe of the mountains the LORD has moved and the hearts the LORD is joining together for Lina!

May the LORD bless you and may you continue to be a voice for the voiceless!
Proverbs 31:8-9

Kolina needs a Christmas Miracle - will you be her miracle?

2011-12-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

Kolina is from our Lina's orphanage! She needs a Christmas miracle! Please somebody hear the cry of this child and say YES! Look into her eyes and say YES!

She turns 9 on December 16th...She will spend yet another birthday alone! Spread the word that KOLINA needs her family now!

OH these photos break my heart...do they NOT break yours?!

I am searching for profound words to write but I have none! Words escape me...I dream every night about the day I will hold our daughter Lina in my arms (and that day is so very close) and tell her she is loved, wanted, needed and that she is a gift from the LORD! She is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God the Father. She is no longer alone...she is a Carpenter. She is Angelina "LINA" Mariana Carpenter. She is a beautiful little girl who will be loved and cherished. She will laugh and play with her sisters and one day she will go to school and learn and sing and play! She will have the most blessed life! She is no longer an orphan! She is our daughter...

KOLINA longs for the same words to be spoken to her by her Mommy and Daddy...she is in desperate need to be loved! Where is her Christmas miracle?

Sasha Carpenter - Anyone afraid of adopting a child with a CP diagnosis...watch this!!!!

2011-12-08T05:54:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g36aZPqF-3Q

Here is Lina's big sister Sasha! Anyone afraid of adopting a child with Cerebral Palsy? Watch Sasha sing! She has a gift from the LORD! She has cerebral palsy! She is adopted from Russia and had she not been adopted she would now be in a mental institution and probably would never have walked! YES, cerebral palsy is a broad term that covers many differing degrees of the diagnosis - our other 2 daughters have more severe and different types of cerebral palsy (brain injury basically) but we were told Sasha would never walk!

Watch our miracle child! Watch the child that the LORD used to open our eyes to the plight of children that are orphaned with special needs! We are the most blessed parents in the whole world. I am sobbing as I write this post because I know the LORD has a BIG PLAN for this very special young lady...meet Sasha Carpenter - actually her real legal name is "Natalya Aleksandra "Sasha" Carpenter!

Please HELP find this precious child her family - BE A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS!!!

2011-12-07T04:16:00.000-08:00

http://reecesrainbow.org/29199/kolina-11-17

This little one is the only one that I know of that is listed for immediate adoption from our Lina's orphanage! She has a birthdate of 2002...see how tiny she is...HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Check out www.theblessingofverity.com to see KATIE who just came home from our Lina's orphanage! Katie is 9 and 1/2 and this little one is also 9 years old!!!

God is doing miracles for the children from Katie former orphanage and Lina's orphanage! Will you be one of those miralces!!!

PLEASE be a voice for the voiceless...my heart aches to see her hopeless eyes to know that she has never known love! Be a voice for KOLINA! I love her name...it has LINA in it!!

Be her Christmas Miracle...

Proverbs 31:8-9

LIBERATE LINA snowman...minus the snow!

2011-12-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

Even the snowman is all about LIBERATE LINA!

Part of the Carpenter Christmas decorations!

We have the snowman but no snow...and that can wait for awhile as far as I am concerned. I am not ready to shovel any driveway YET!

Psalm 68:6

OLGA's Christmas Miracle

2011-12-03T04:43:00.000-08:00

Olga's Christmas Miracle...

Her family has been found and is working to get her adoption process started! Praise the LORD Jesus who is able to do above and beyond what we can think or imagine! Pray for her family as they wade through the adoption paperwork and process as quickly as possible. The family is a friend of a friend...amazing how the LORD works and weaves HIS PLAN! I am in awe and we praise the LORD today!!!!

Keep praying...Olga is just one out of countless other children that need a family quickly...if your heart was stirred keep allowing the LORD to use you to be a voice for the voiceless!

Proverbs 31:8-9

Thank you Mel for being burdened for this one little one - it moved me to be burdened and it moved my friend to be burdened and she just happened to be the connection to the family that the LORD was calling for OLGA - Wow!!!

LIBERATE LINA AUCTION NEWS - A 15 year old girl just donated....http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/

2011-12-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

LIBERATE LINA online auction news....

I am so touched, blessed and moved by the gift of a 15 year old girl for LINA! I don't know who she is but I pray for her that the LORD would bless her beautiful heart! The purse that you see was donated to the auction today for LINA!

I am crying because this young lady sees the need and is willing to get involved and help a little girl in another country that desperately needs her help! Amazing and sweet young15 year old...if you are reading this blog...your gift is so valuable and so are you! May you be blessed for being a blessing!

I have no words to say Thank you in a big enough way!!!

So go check out the auction at

http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/

There are over 100 amazing gifts that are blessing little LINA! Thank you everyone!!!
Angelina (the full name for our nickname of Lina) means "messenger" She is already a messenger and a voice for the voiceless. She is no longer voiceless...thank you for being a part of her life!

with blessings to you...Isaiah 26:8

OLGA needs a family NOW! Please go to www.faithsfeat.com to read more!

2011-12-01T15:35:00.000-08:00

Please go to www.faithsfeat.com to read more and to read the post that my dear friend Melanie wrote today! Neither of us can get OLGA off of our minds or out of our hearts but neither of us can proceed to adopt her because we are both in the middle of adoption processes to bring home a daughter from the same country! The LORD has an amazing story of how He has knit our two families together!

My post tonight was going to be about the Sophi stripe and Lina stripe scarves that are for sale for both of their adoption processes. Melanie and Will graciously had a striped scarf pattern made for Lina - to help our daughter come home - wow - in the middle of their fundraising they are raising funds for LINA! What an act of faith and Christian love...you can check that out too at http://www.xomission.com/

The scarves are amazing!!! Little Sophi needs our prayers and needs to come home quickly too! Please check out their site to view more about Sophi and her awesome family and our dear friends...Melanie and Will... www.faithsfeat.com

But for now my heart continues to goes out to precious Olga! Anyone that is considering OLGA...please know that 13 years ago when we boarded a plane to Russia to adopt our precious Sasha - had I known she had cerebral palsy I probably would have not gotten on that plane - the LORD knew that and therefore HE hid the cp from us! We had her in our arms and nothing else mattered. Here we were holding this tiny 13 pound almost 2 year old little girl with almost no hair (blonde if you could find any) and with bright blue/grey eyes.

We new immediately upon getting home that something was not right and it was simply not just developmental delay. Sasha has cerebral palsy and now she is a beautiful 14 year old honors student who simply walks a bit differently! The LORD has used Sasha to completely remove our fears about cp and other special needs. So here we are 13 years later with 3 daughters with cerebral palsy all to differing degrees and adopting our little LINA who has issues which will be similar to cp.

I am forever thankful to the LORD for opening my eyes, removing the fears and blessing our lives with our precious girls! So when I look at OLGA I see Sasha and it crushes me to think of Sasha in a mental institution! That is exactly where she was headed for she was even in a baby home for children with mental disabilities ( I would have known that upon entry to her orphanage had I been able to read Russian at the time). She is gifted intellectually but was struggling in the orphanage because of her cp and it was thought that she was mentally incapable! Anyone every read the book -"Boy in Babyhouse 10"? You need to!!!

So if anyone has questions about CP please contact us at nusker1@hotmail.com and we will be so happy to share our stories! Praying for OLGA and for her Mommy and Daddy to find her!

May the LORD be glorified in this precious child's life...HIS child!

Proverbs 31:8-9

PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT FOR OLGA!!!!! Check out www.faithsfeat.com

2011-11-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

Olga STILL NEEDS a family. A family that was pursuing her is no longer considered eligible to adopt her. Her birthday is December 31st, and her time is running out. The good news, however, is that because of all the individuals advocating for her little life, she now has over $7000 in grant money to help the family who is led to adopt her!
My dear friend and sister in Christ...Melanie Blackmon has a post that will tug at your heart!!! She needs a home and a Mommy and DADDY now!!!

Please help!!!!!

Read Melanie's post at www.faithsfeat.com

PECAN PIE - Do you like PECAN PIE? Fundraiser started by Amber Smith for LINA!!!

2011-11-28T06:36:00.000-08:00

PECAN PIE...

Do you like PECAN PIE? WELL you can have homemade pecan pie for Christmas and all the proceeds will go to LINA!

Amber Smith started this fundraiser for LINA! She is making Pecan PIES to help bring home LINA! Amber teaches Ellianna's Sunday School Class at Calvary Chapel Lebanon and we LOVE Amber and her sweet spirit!

$15.00 per pie
Orders needed by December 10th and PIES will be ready for pick up at on December 20th...

email amber at alsmith843@gmail.com to order a pie or PIES!!

Pick up will be at Legends Cafe, 9 South 9th Street in Lebanon, Pa 17042
across from the Lebanon Farmer's Market

Anything else you need to know? Contact us at nusker1@hotmail.com

Psalm 68:6 " God sets the Lonely in Families..."

OH and don't forget the awesome auction that I just posted about...
http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com

Thank you so much! Ellianna loves PECAN PIE and Avi loves the gooey stuff inside the pie! Uncle Matt fed her an ENTIRE Piece of pie at Thanksgiving and she wanted MORE! This was the child who had a feeding tube for 4 years and ate no food orally....just consumed an entire piece of goo of a pecan pie at Thanksgiving! So guess we will need to order a few ourselves for Christmas!

Blessings to you...stephanie brian sasha ellianna avi and LINA!

Auction to start for LINA ...Check it out!!!

2011-11-28T06:14:00.000-08:00

http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com

Check out the amazing items that have been donated for LINA!!! I am in awe of how the LORD has moved for our precious little girl! There are so many items that have been donated and continue to pour in...you have to check it out!!!

Thank you everyone!!! What a blessing each of you are in LINA's LIFE and in our lives!

May the LORD bless each of you for being a blessings...

Proverbs 31:8-9

Check out the Auction...it is about to begin!!!!!!!

T-shirts for Sale:Liberate Lina check out November 3rd post until I get it reposted!

2011-11-24T10:23:00.001-08:00

T-shirts are here!!! Liberate LINA!!!

Check out the November 3rd post - I will get the photo of the shirts reposted...hang on but until then...check out November 3rd!!!

Thank you so very much and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Check out also.... the auction that is starting very soon...along the side of this blog is link to access the auction for Liberate Lina. I will repost that also...hang on...gotta go have some Turkey and Potatoes first!

Be back soon with those links and photos posted right here!!!!

Announcing Spaghetti for LINA!!!!

2011-11-21T08:39:00.001-08:00

When: Saturday December 10th

Time: 3pm - 7pm

Where: Lebanon Valley Church of the Nazarene

900 South 5th Avenue, Lebanon Pa 17042

Route 897 and the intersection of Klein Avenue

Price: Adults $5.00 Children $3.00

Bake Sale will also be held - Ellianna's Edibles - for Donation to Lina's adoption Fund

Also showing: Art for Orphans by Ellianna

Hope to see you and come enjoy the fun, food and fellowship!

ART for Orphans - first 12 prints ready for sale...see www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com

2011-11-20T17:03:00.000-08:00

Check out the www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com to see the first 12 prints! They are for sale to bring home Ellianna's sister Lina! Check it out...

The LORD is doing miracles to bring Lina home quickly! Ellianna Ya-Ting is looking for a gallery to show her artwork and she would love to show you her artwork! She is a voice for the voiceless and is so very excited to share her prints! Her smile alone when showing her artwork will capture your heart and bring you to laughter and tears all at the same time!

Ellianna has had the opportunity to show her art in Downingtown and in Maryland during two special events for adoption and orphan care! She is captivating!

Check it out!

May the LORD receive all the glory and may many children come home to their families...
Psalm 68:6
Isaiah 26:8
Be a voice for the voiceless...Ellianna is! Proverbs 31: 8-9

Print 1

Print 3 (each print has some hidden figures/animals/things to find - do you see the man on the bench with his legs crossed - some say they see him holding an infant child - hmmm!)

See www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com
for more prints!!!!!!!

Meet the ARTIST - Ellianna Ya-Ting - coming soon to www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com

2011-11-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

Spaghetti for LINA!!! Date - December 10th from 3pm - 7 pm

2011-11-07T04:34:00.000-08:00

Spaghetti for LINA!!!

Date: December 10th from 3pm - 7pm

Where: Lebanon Valley Church of the Nazarene , 5th Avenue, Lebanon, Pa 17042

More details to be following in very near future

For those of you that live in Pennsylvania and can attend - Brian is the master Chef and makes the most amazing spaghetti! Come out and have a night of fun fellowship - many orphan dvd's will be shown and maybe a guest appearance by some local musicians!!!! ????

Also bake sale and art sale - showing ART for ORPHANS artwork by Ellianna Ya-Ting (for sale to bring home Lina) and Ellianna's Editables also for sale!

HOPE to see you then!!! More details coming!!!!!

ART for ORPHANS - soon ready to launch!!! check it out!

2011-11-07T04:27:00.000-08:00

Art for Orphans is soon ready to launch! Please check out http://www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com/ in the next few days to see what is coming!

Ellianna Ya-Ting is the precious artist who is painting to help bring home her sister still in an Eastern European orphanage and then her dream and our prayer is to continue Art for Orphans to help bring home other children to other families!

The LORD has blessed us with our precious Ellianna! She was born with multiple special needs and many complications at birth but she is thriving and the joy to all her meet her! HOW could this little face not bring joy to all!

She is now painting for orphans! We are soon ready to show her masterpieces and to sell them to YOU! Each dollar raised will go to bringing home her little sister. Angelina "Lina" Mariana is 5 years old but weighs a very tiny 11 pounds! She needs to come home quickly! Please be ready to check out Ellianna's masterpieces and spread the word! Again keep posted to this blog and to http://www.artfororphansbyellianna.blogspot.com/ for the launching of Ellianna's art for orphans! There is a GOD Story behind this project and may HE get all the glory!

Proverbs 31: 8-9 Ellianna is a voice for the voiceless
"Speak up for those who can not speak for themselves."

2011-11-03T14:38:00.000-07:00

T-Shirts for Sale -

Liberate Lina

Price $10.00 plus shipping costs if we would need to ship them to you!

All sizes Kids S - XL
Adult S - XL (2XL also available by special request)

More information coming as I figure out how to get paypal on this blog...or rather as I find time to get more information and paypal on this BLOG! Time seems to be the issue!!!!

Pray for Lina to come home quickly!

May you be blessed!

Meet our princess! Here is Lina Carpenter!

2011-10-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

Meet our princess! Here is our sweet precious girl - Lina Carpenter! Our little girl is already 5 years old and each day that goes by is another day that she is not with her Mommy, Daddy and sisters! She needs to come home as quickly as possible! See the tiny feet - the hand holding her foot is a normal woman's hand.

Anyone ever hear the song "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" - eventually I will get it to play on this blog but until that time...listen to the words of that song with precious Lina in mind! The words will break your heart and fill you with HOPE all at the same time.

Breath of Heaven - Hmmm....these precious children are a tiny glimpse of heaven and a tiny breath of the LORD JESUS...there is no way to describe or explain in words that will make sense but some will understand when I say that Lina is a tiny breath of Heaven and already fills ours hearts with Joy...taking a quote from the "FACING the GIANTS" movie - "How can I love someone I have never even met?" I CAN and I DO...Lina you are a tiny breath from Heaven!!! We love you and are working as fast as we can to come and bring you home where you belong!

Lyrics - Song by Amy Grant
I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, You have come
And chosen me now to carry your Son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a World as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?

Breath of heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness for you are holy
Breath of heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of Your plan
Help me be strong, help me be, help me

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness for you are holy
Breath of heaven

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness for you are holy
Breath of heaven, Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven

I wonder and cry as I know Lina has spent many moonless nights - cold and weary and all alone. I wonder if she even wonders anymore what she has done? But now she is chosen to be our daughter! She is waiting in silent prayer - in a silent world - frightened by the load she bears - her world is as cold as stone - Does she walk this path alone? No she does not - Jesus is with her and her family is working hard to bring her home!

Oh Lord - Hold her together - Be forever near her - Oh breath of Heaven be her light in the darkness and pour over her your holiness - Breath of Heaven! You are HOLY and you are God and you can do anything!

Oh Lord - Help her be strong - Help her be strong - Help me be strong as I watch and wait! Oh breath of Heaven be forever near us and bring our little breath of heaven home!

The Lord tells us in His Word in Psalm 68:6 - " God sets the lonely in families". He also tells us in Proverbs 31:8-9 " Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for th rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Be a voice for the voiceless...

Please pray for Lina and the whole paperchase process to move more quickly than anyone thinks possible! We serve a Big God and He can do anything!
Thank you so very much!

Many blessings to you! Lina's family

HELP OLGA NOW!!!! PLEASE check out the sites that are listed here!

2011-10-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

PLEASE PLEASE pass this along and post anywhere you can! I don't know more than what is in this message but I felt like I could not be silent! I HAVE seen with my own eyes what the little girl will endure! This precious tiny little one being transferred breaks my heart!

Please get the word out!!!! She needs our help as all these precious children do but the LORD put this one in front of me today so I am sending her out to everyone for them to send her out! May the LORD bring her family quickly and save her from a life in a Mental institution! For those of you that know our Sasha...this would have been the plight of Sasha had she not been adopted...her only "crime" She was an orphan and had cerebral palsy! It breaks my heart beyond words! Read the book - "Boy from Babyhouse 10" to learn more!

Thanks everyone for praying and for helping in any way that you can!

Isaiah 58:10

Stephanie

SEE BELOW!!!

This was written by the original poster -

Olga E. is a little girl waiting for her family in Russia. She is in a really good babyhouse. I've been advocating for her for over a year, but she hasn't found her family yet. An adoptive family that just had court for their daughter who is in the same orphanage, was told that if they hadn't come for her before she turned four, she would have been transferred to a mental institution ( http://afamilyformaria.blogspot.com/2011/10/introducing-maria-elena-zuzunaga.html ). Olga E turns four this coming December. She will just fade away in an institution. Please help!

Would you post about her on your Facebook? Or link to my blog? Or spread the word about her in any way you can come up with.

This is her profile on Reece's rainbow:
http://reecesrainbow.org/5655/olga-e-15

Monica
www.xmaswarrior.blogspot.com

MEET Angelina "LINA" Mariana Carpenter

2011-10-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

MEET Angelina "LINA" Mariana Carpenter...
Sister to Sasha, Ellianna and Avigayil....
Our daughter is still in her orphanage and needs to come home quickly! She just turned 5 years old and is about half the size of our Avi (Tin Tin) and about half of her weight! She is older than AVI by 4 months! Posting a photo or photos within days so keep watch...also will work on making this blog more exciting to view for those of you that are super amazing at creating blogs! I obviously don't have too much talent in this area!! Although I plan to work on it!

We are blessed to be the parents of this precious and tiny 5 year old little girl that desperately needs her Mommy and Daddy!

We are working on all kinds of fundraisers that we hope to continue long after Lina is home! As you probably know caring for the orphans is our HEARTBEAT...our PASSION and OUR LIVES...especially those with needs that the world calls special! These precious girls are the most amazing gifts the LORD could ever have blessed us with and we are humbled and catch glimpses of the LORD HIMself daily through these girls!

Spaghetti for LINA...date to be announced as soon as we get a date that works with the church and our schedule...Brian is the Master Chef of spaghetti so plan on coming and plan on having lots to eat and lots of awesome fellowship...Early December date is being planned!

Online Auction...LIBERATE LINA...coming very soon and we are looking for items that anyone wants to donate and any gift cards that anyone can secure! I will be posting a link to some amazing friends that are helping...actually doing the whole auction for LINA because I would be so clueless...remember I am the one with the blog that has no music and no pictures!!! Ha ha!! I will put a link on here as soon as I have the link to give you!

ART for ORPHANS - working on this right NOW and will have some photos of the framed artwork to display and to sell for Liberating LINA! Do you know an Art gallery that might want to display artwork by Ellianna Ya-Ting Carpenter...she has a great story to tell Psalm 68:6! I MEAN a really great story to tell! She has her big sister's story to tell of her liberation from Russia...her story to tell of her liberation from Taiwan...her little sister Tin Tin's story to tell of her liberation from the Philippines and now a current day, play by play story to tell of LIBERATE LINA!

The T-shirt PROJECT - coming soon....
Buy this T-Shirt
Liberate Lina
Psalm 68:6

"CANNED" you liberate LINA - selling right now...the most amazing yummy and made with love...canned peaches, pears (size - 2 quart) and Chow Chow!!!! I guess you need to live in the Pennsylvania Dutch AREA to know what Chow Chow (size is a quart) really is - although I live here and don't even really know what it is but we are selling it for LINA! Hey just buy a CAN and then you will know what it is!

I guess I will attempt to take a photo and post it here but "CAN" you help...buy some now!!!!
Made by Aunt Linda and Aunt Nora with much love

Praising the LORD for his Hand upon our lives today! Proverbs 31:8-9
"Speak up for those that can not speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are desitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

So much more to share about all the Lord is doing for LINA and other little ones the LORD is placing in homes! The stories of how He is connecting one family to another just amazes me! I will have to share more of the stories and may the LORD be glorified!

You can post a message here if you are interested in any of our fundraisers or just email us at nusker1@hotmail.com or tingministries@comcast.net

Brian Stephanie Sasha Ellianna Avigayil and LINA

Into the Deep - Robert Rogers

2011-10-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

Just met and heard Robert Rogers speak at MBIC! Wow - you have to hear his powerful testimony!

LIVING A LIFE WITH NO REGRETS...

His interview with CNN - http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/10/rogers/index.html?iref=newssearch#cnnSTCText

A portion of his testimony on You Tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs9zOuUyoz0

His book is entitled - "Into the Deep" - In an instant everything was swept away. Like Job in the Bible "Though He slay me yet I will trust him..." Job 13:15 - HE has clung onto the scripture and the LORD Jesus!

His ministry is entitled - Mighty in the Land Foundation and they have built their first orphanage in the Vladimir region of Russia and it is called the Melissa Home in honor of his wife that lost her life in the flash flood in Kansas.

His testimony will change your life and bring glory to the LORD!

http://www.intothedeep.org/

Coming soon to the Mariana Orphan Fund...

2011-10-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

Coming soon:

More details on THE ART FOR ORPHANS PROJECT - frames are needed

THE T-SHIRT PROJECT - order yours today!

Spaghetti for LINA - date to be listed soon!

BE A VOICE for the VOICELESS!

Adoption - the heart of the Gospel

2011-10-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/adoption-the-heart-of-the-gospel