Galilee / Class of 2015

Guess who graduated?

GALILEE POLINA GREGG did!

That's right.  High School is in her rear view mirror. 

The road wasn't always easy and the challenges were many, but this girl faced her fears...dealt with the sin issues that popped up ...which ACADEMIA had a way of exposing.... and earned her diploma like a CHAMP!

We are very proud of her. 




Dear Galilee,

You are a gift from the Lord.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made...knit together by a Master Artist in your birth mother's womb.  You are unique.  You are one-of-a-kind.  The Lord knows the number of hairs on your head.  He sustains your very life...giving you breath.  Each day is a new opportunity to love HIM and love others.  It is a privilege to call ourselves your parents.  You have changed our lives for the better.  You are loved.

Forever Yours,
Mom & Dad

I Peter 5:10 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Mother's Day

Let me tell you about our kids.

Our first is in Heaven.  How we celebrated this precious life and wept openly over our earthly loss.

Braverijah Sage, our second child and first born son,  is a gentle soul.  He is strong.  He is steady.  Like a rock.  He is wise.  He has understanding. He has taught me how to trust more.   

Our third child is in Heaven.  Such joy.  And such terrible sorrow.

Mcabe Justus, our fourth child and youngest son, lives life boldly.  What you see is what you get.  He is emotional and tender-hearted.  He feels deeply. He is a truth-teller.  And so loving.  And so forgiving. He has taught me how to live a better life.

Our fifth child is in Heaven.  Utter excitement and then heavy heavy grief.

Galilee Polina, our oldest daughter, has challenged me and the Lord has used our relationship to grow me in ways that I never saw coming and never thought possible.  She is raw.  She is curious.  She is a fighter.  She is determined.  She is learning how to rest.  She has taught me much about love and being loved and she has grown my patience.  

Jemima Bakytgul, our middle daughter,  is motivated.  She is disciplined.  She is joy filled. She is discerning and wisdom pours from her lips. She has taught me how to walk in truth and leave the past in the past. 

Our eighth child is in Heaven.  The kids gathered around me to hear the heartbeat.  And the
ever-so-sad technician had to call the doctor into the room because there was none.  Pain.  Enormous & stabbing pain.

Zion Evangeline is our ninth child and our youngest girl. She is the most intuitive person I know.  She is loyal.  She is sold out.  Nothing but absolute truth will you get.  She has taught me how to be present...and how to be more ME. 

Our tenth child is in Heaven.  Hope and dreams.... and then tears which turn into sobs.

These are my children.  I am their mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all my dear friends who have been blessed with the gift of motherhood.


Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord.      Psalm 127:3

To our daughters' birthmothers...thank you for their lives.

To my friends who grieve on this Mother's Day...I grieve alongside you.  

Ram Brave

When you are holding your breath waiting for the Lord's will to be done...for months and months alongside your friends.

We are humans...so of course we are tempted to hold our breath...to stop breathing while we wait for our GOOD and RIGHTEOUS and COMPASSIONATE and TRUSTWORTHY Lord to answer with a "yes" or a "no"  or a "not yet"  in His perfect timing.

When in the last 72 hours you are eating like a pig while holding your breath.  And you countdown...hour by hour.

What an honor to live life with others.  What an enormous blessing.  To share in sorrows and to share in joys.  To share in disappointments & failures and to share in victories.  To strive alongside one another towards a common goal.  To wait patiently alongside one another for answers...for comfort...for healing.  I do not think life would be worth living if it were not for living life in this way. 

We are all celebrating the birth of a baby boy over here today.  His name is Ram Brave and his arrival has been MUCH anticipated and  MUCH prayed over.


Because of all of our yelping and hollaring and celebratory dancing...our neighbors showed up...knocking at our door last night...excited themselves for the good news.  The look of anticipation on their faces as they stood on the porch...

Is it a job?  Did Brad book an acting gig?  Cedars?  

It's so what they were thinking.  I love that they ran over here and needed to hear in person.

We got to tell them that the baby is Jeni and Neal's.  He is Ram Brave.  It's official.

SUCH better news.  By far.

What a joy to share in  a baby being added to the circle of fellowship and then to know that others are rushing over to share in your joy...even if it's not the joy they anticipated.  Then them sharing in the actual joy.

Living life togehter.

This morning we got the best wake-up call.

Russia's Dogs

When we walked into a Russian orphanage we smelled bad things.  Things like urine and layers of dirt.  We heard bad things.  Things like impatient footsteps rushing down long dimly lit hallways and hostile tones and cries.  We saw bad things.  Things like peeling paint, rust stains, water damage, an industrial kitchen...decayed and unfathomable, grey everything, kids...all with shaved heads, sores and scabs on sallow faces.  We saw distended abdomens and children drooling.  And children rocking.  And a frightened & severely malnourished child performing.  Performing for the strangers who came to take her away.  From that place.  The same kid who had rickets in her bones and parasites in her feces.  The one who weighed 28 pounds at the age of four and a half and didn't walk till she was three.  The one who carries multiple physical scars from God knows what. The one who decided right on the spot...It's better to run from this hell hole clinging for dear life to this woman and this man who I have never laid eyes upon...the ones who don't speak my language...than to stay and rot.

Dogs?

That's nice, people.  Whatever lets you sleep at night.

Galilee Polina / Big 18

The first time ever I saw your face...little Polina.

It was cold.  There was snow.  Patches of snow.  And talk of a dog...a sobaka.  You liked the tea biscuits we bought for you...and for the others.  You got them all though.  Cuz there were not other children in the yard during our visit.   Your voice was so raspy.  You were very much afraid and talked and talked and talked.  I could tell that you were afraid.  And excited.  And you were ready.

Galilee Polina.

It hasn't been easy... traveling this road the Lord has us on together.   In fact, sometimes it's been really really really hard.   You are a fighter.  My prayer for you, Daughter.... is that you learn that being a fighter might feel safe but that it isn't always a good thing...especially if you are fighting for and against all the wrong things. 

Today I am proud of all the hard work you have put into coming closer to an authentic place of transparency.

I will never ask you to be anything but honest. 

Love,
Mom
____________________________________________


Turning 18 makes me feel nervous cuz I'm becoming an adult.  To hear that I am entering adulthood sounds scary.  I need to make appropriate decisions and be more mature behaviorally.  I need to take more responsibility.  I'd say adulthood is a serious subject.  This will definitely be a challenge for me. I'm kinda shocked to turn 18.

-Galilee Gregg


_________________________________

Galilee is a highly unusual place name, Galilee being a large region in northern Israel, the home of Jesus during at least thirty years of his life, and also where he cured a blind man. The Sea of Galilee gets its name from the area. 

Gender:FOrigin of Galilee: HebrewMeaning of Galilee: "the province"
______________________________

The meaning of the name Polina is Little Stone
The origin of the name Polina is Russian

Sweet Sixteen

Love at first sight.

 

....and this one is awesome!

Birthday boys & girls get signs in our home.  It's a tradition.

I cannot imagine life without my Jemima Bakytgul.  I am especially burdened for her birth parents tonight...and ever so grateful that her birthmother chose life.  What a gift we have been given.  

Touchstone

March 17th holds a special place in my heart.  It's the date we traveled to Russia in 2000 and the same date we traveled to Kazakhstan in 2001.  Both times we left the continent...hearts overflowing with joy and ever so much hope...in obedience to the call of adoption.

One transition and folding in has been challenging.  The other has not.


Individuals find all sorts of things to worship.

One of my weak spot tends to manifest itself in relational issues.  Placing others before the Lord. Holding on and holding out with white knuckles...gripping...clenching...fearing...bowing to anxiety...

It really boils down to pride.

Lord...this is not the way it should be.  I know better than you do.  I don't like your timing here.  Don't you know how much this pain hurts???????  Lord,  are you sure you know what you're doing?  Why do you tarry? 

I 've now experienced two intimate long term non-reciprocal relationships and they are anything but pleasant. I've grieved heavily over the losses and brick walls that have come my way.

But.......these earthly disappointments have passed through the throne room of my loving Savior and King.  The Lord who created me and knows my needs better than I do.  The one who works all things together for my good and His glory because I am His child.

March 17,  2013 marks the day I hand over the second particular relationship to the Lord.  100%.  For real this time.   No take backs.   I'm stepping aside ...coming off the throne...knowing the Creator is to be trusted with His creation.

Letting go and letting God is not the same thing as giving up. 

Both of these relationships are fa·mil·ial in nature.
We know that He places us in the families He places us in for very specific reasons.  In time.  In HIStory for His purposes.  He makes no errors.  And He is intentional.

No earthly relation...not mother...not father...not brother....
not husband...not son...not daughter.....
not friend...will come before my relationship with the Lord.

And that means...I am going to continue on... loving them in His strength.  When I am weak... that's when He is proven strong.

This post is my touchstone.

Keeping it Real

I know I've said it before...but I'll say it again.  Parenting.  It's not for the faint of heart.  In case anyone is under the impression that we live a life devoid of daily struggles...



I struggle with authenticity. This post is for me to be real. Being fake is a hiding place for me. When things get real I hide because I see the real me and it scares me.  I don't go off somewhere by myself but I hide my true emotions. I don't like to accept myself for who I am. That's a problem. I'm insecure and sound desperate when I try to impress others. I jump in my sentences when I speak to get to my point quickly and jump to different topics at once. I'm an impatient person, not loving as how the Bible says that love is. I'm not always kind and take things for granted. I'm boastful and prideful. I am angry. I blame. I am hateful, and jealous too. Not always quick in repentance. I love music, when I am struggling at times I will praise God with blasting Christian music. It makes me feel good and it reminds me what is important when I'm struggling. It reminds me that God is in control through everything. God cares. If you want to get to know the real me, I am not the one who can make a joke, I'm not funny. I'm not the person to pick up on things quickly and I don't like to own that. I think authenticity is the most important thing in a person's life and I need to start living up to it and face my problems openly and not be afraid of who I am. Writing this post made me feel new and fresh. I can see  myself growing in the Lord. 

An hour ago I was told to publicly share about myself because I struggle with authenticity. I felt angry, scared, shy, embarrassed, and paralyzed. 

Now I feel bright like a light, clean, and have a HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HEART!!!


OXOXOX
with Love to my amazing and loving mother who NEVER gives up on me! Thank you!

Love,
Your Little Wretch,
Forever and Always,
Galilee

Family Reunion

Evangeline Cottage / Shalom

Every now and again I'm inspired to work on jewelry.  Evangeline Cottage...as many of my friends know...is the place where I take special orders for custom designs.   

This Shalom line has been slowly but surely working it's way out of my heart.

My inspiration?  

Post abortive friends...men and women...who have bravely shared their stories.  

And those who have lost children through no choice of their own to early death.  

Some have found healing in Christ.  Others are still searching.  

As a Christian...I know that shalom is found at Calvary and I would like to share that truth with whomever the Lord gives eyes to see and ears to hear.  

        

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.    Luke 7:50

My hope is that  post abortive believers would wear my designs and that the Lord would provide open doors for stories of redemption to be shared.  

There are many out there who are engaged in this battle for life without being post abortive.  The message remains the same.  

Death is horrific.  Christ has conquered death.  The enemy is a dog on a leash.  The story is written and it ends in victory.  Christ longs for you to live a life of shalom...here on earth and for eternity.

For those believers who have had children taken "too soon"...we sympathize. 

Bradley and I have miscarried 5 times. We did not lose "tissue."  We lost 5 children to early death.  

We have many friends who have lost children to early death.  Some to miscarriage...some to still birth...some to death beyond the womb.  All children...in various stages of development...taken by death.  

The Lord weeps for the earthly loss of children.  

Because of the cross...and our beleif in all that was accomplished there....we live in shalom with our Lord.  

He creates life.  We are stewards of the lives He blesses us with.   

Children are fearfully and wonderfully made.            

 A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Abort 73 and Abolish Human Abortion. 


DONATIONS + SASE 
Please contact  isa646@aol.com for shipping instructions

*For those who desire an explanation for the use of skulls.  Christ died at Calvary or Gogaltha...also known as "Place of The Skull."  This is where He became victor over death.  In Him...believers share in that victory.

Traditionally skull imagery has been used in Art to call man to contemplate the vanity of earthly things and to symbolize mortality. 

 

Happy Flower Designs

I am very proud of Jemima Bakytgul... Little Dove in Hebrew & Happy Flower in Kazak.

She works hard at her studies and at her cottage industry.

This daughter of ours is passionate about Design, History & Politics,  and Literature.  It makes perfect sense that her passions would overlap.

Visit her etsy shop here.

I love Home-Education!

Stay Calm and Keep on Keepin' On

So it's the day after the election and you are feeling so sad for your nation when someone sends you a link to an article which puts a smile on your face. 

Children's Hunger Fund & Avenues

Children's Hunger Fund

We packed boxes of chips & bags of dried fruit intended for Guatemala's Zone 3.

And later that evening we attended a fundraiser.....

Avenues 

...where Michael Reagan was the keynote speaker.  Such a sweet testimony.

October Baby

October Baby is a MUST SEE film.

It was so sweet to be in the room with three young women (who happen to be adopted) while they were processing the truths presented in this story of forgiveness.

 I had the pleasure of watching the delightful, funny, and heart-wrenching movie, October Baby.  This is by far the best Christian film out there.  I was really surprised by how good the story-line is.  I learned a lot of things during the film, but what really spoke to my heart was the forgiveness aspect of the movie.  The main character, Hannah had to learn to forgive her birth mom, her adoptive family, and herself.  Throughout the movie you watch Hannah face her battles and have struggles until she hits a brick wall.  She finally learns that God forgave her for all of her sins and she is able to forgive others.  This tells me that I can forgive anyone who comes my way, no matter our history.  God extended grace to Hannah...so how dare she hold a grudge against anyone, even herself.  Shari Rigby, a family friend, plays the birth mom in the film.  She struggled with forgiving herself after murdering her own child through abortion.  October Baby is a must see film.  I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a tear-jerker movie. - Jemima Gregg


Oh how I love October Baby! It is a tear-jerker.When I began watching the movie, anger built up inside me. What was I angry about? Who was I angry at? Hannah! I was angry about how disrespectful Hannah was to her family when she learned that she was adopted. I didn't understand Hannah's anger towards her father. I was adopted at the age of three and have been so thankful that my parents welcomed me into their home. After watching the movie, I realized where Hannah is coming from. She lived 19 years without her parents telling her about her birth. So Hannah believed she was lied to this entire time. Now she has questions with no answers to them. As to me, I've know my whole life that I was adopted. Thinking about it though, I can understand and might be angry and hurt if I didn't know. At the end Hannah learns that her parents wanted the best for her. She learns to forgive them and their friendship begins to grow. Hannah also exchanges bitterness for forgiveness in regards to her biological mother. Lastly, Hannah learns to not dwell on the things of the past but to look to the future. This is why I love the movie so dearly! - Cassandra Wilde  

October Baby is a Christian movie that is life changing. The film has heartache, resentment, hatred, grief, pain, love, and forgiveness. The main character, Hannah finds out that she is adopted. Because she is a survivor of a failed abortion she has depression, and other health problems. Hannah is determined to find her birth mother on a road trip with her best friend, Jason. After learning from the nurse who helped the abortion doctor that Hannah had a twin brother who also survived with an arm torn off and brain damage... but sadly died 4 months later...Hannah felt heart broken and guilty that she pulled through and he didn't. Hannah finds her birth mother, Cindy, who can't face the truth, doesn't want her, and pretends to be clueless or have any recollection of her. Hannah needs to learn to forgive her birth mother for not wanting her, and trying to kill her and for killing her brother. She needs forgive her parents for hiding the horrible news of her early childhood. On her journey, she realizes that she has been forgiven therefore she should forgive others. Convicted, Hannah places a note, saying "I forgive you" on Cindy's desk and is relieved as she is ready to walk into new life. Upon reading the note, Cindy cries because she knows it is time to face the truth. I about just died when I saw Cindy have her break through and accept forgiveness. I loved seeing the love Hannah's family shows her. She herself learns to love and forgive. This movie is about a girl finding out who she really is and learning to accept it. I love this film October Baby! - Galilee Gregg

Shari Rigby...the film's birth mother is a dear friend.  I had the privilege of attending a fundraiser for East Los Angeles Pregnancy Center where she was the keynote speaker.

Shari's testimony is one of healing and forgiveness found in Christ.  Post abortive herself, she shares authentically about her journey out of shame...and delivers a message of hope.

Shari's story.

and More here.


One of our daughters got up the nerve ask a very serious question last night.  It's been a season of intense ponderings lately...but this inquiry went very, very deep.  "Mom, could I be the survivor of a failed abortion?"

long pause

"It's possible because of your low birth weight...but we do not have that information."  

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...........so maybe?"

"Probably not..... but maybe."


I cannot think of a more redeeming and life affirming way for the girls to spend their time than volunteering at our very own local Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Psalm 139:14 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Evangeline Cottage

Our dear friends brought home a precious baby boy through adoption.  One of my most favorite things to do in the whole wide world is design birth mother gifts.  I've had the pleasure of doing so a bunch of times...and I am always blessed by the process. 

This time.... the Mom wanted her son's birth mom and herself to have matching sets.  What an honoring thought. 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:14-16

Journey to Jemima

Journey to Jemima is now available on Amazon. 

One of the most amazing blessings in my life has been the contact we've had over the years with people who have seen the film.  We've held this project with open hands.  Thank you for all of your support.  Thank you for sharing the story with your friends and family. 

Now...it's easier to do so.   Rather than go out of pocket again and produce...hard copies...and deal with the postal system...we've partnered with the professionals :)

You can see a clip here.

Hey...if you are a fan of the film...please leave feedback on our Amazon page.  Thanks!

Originally Posted: February23, 2012

Adoption Fund Raiser

Our dear friends, the Thompsons...are adopting a little boy.  I'm donating this (hand-made by me) set of earrings to their fundraiser.  They would make great stocking stuffers... Don't cha' think?

 Originally Posted, December 9, 2011

Thompson Family Adoption Fundraiser

Visit my WALLART Gallery over at smugmug and choose an image to make into a 12 x 12 rolled canvas print.  All proceeds go towards the adoption of our dear friends'' little baby boy...due soon. 

SPECIAL OFFER $40/print
Leave me a message here and I will do the ordering for you.

Originally Posted: September 16, 2011

He Is & He Will

I'm pretty sure that the earthly powers that be who made the decision to change things up had no real clue how that one little decision would affect the lives of  7 individuals and their intimate circles of family & friends.

They probably had no idea that future work options would require a move out of state.

That it would mean uprooting & finding a place for 7 people.

That it  would mean finding others to fill our place here.

That it would mean MAJOR changes for 5 children and 2 parents deeply rooted in a community.

HUGE relational changes.

HUGE emotional changes.

HUGE educational changes.  

HUGE financial changes.

That it would mean leaving a home.  The only home 4 out of 5 children have ever known.  2 of them...w/adoption challenges.  A whole other story.

That the day in and day out easy breezy contact w/ grandparents would change significantly.

That the day in and day out easy breezy contact w/ friends would change significantly.

That a trusted Pastor/Teacher & Sunday School class would become an internet presence.

That we would have to say "so long" to our 95 year old Aunt...while not knowing if it is really a "goodbye."

That one child in particular would be crying and saying...."I'm asking God to answer my prayers and He's not doing it."  Her sweet prayer...that God would give Daddy a job in Az so that we don't have to move to Ca. 

They had no idea.  I am sure of it. 
___________________________

Here's what I do know.

The Lord is GOOD.

He has used the decision made by the earthy powers that be to minister to my heart.

To give me HOPE.

He is aware of every single aspect of our move and He has purposed it.  At this season.  For a reason.

He is trustworthy.

He answers prayers.

He is in our corner.

He has our best interests in mind.  

He is in control.  Completely.

He knows us better than we know ourselves.  

He will catch us.

He will make a way.

The Real World

For those who visit this blog via the RAD world...you will be happy to know that we have not yet had any major regressions.  Not even minor ones.  Nothing to speak of.

This is HUGE news...considering the fact that we are moving out of state...leaving behind the only house and home since the orphange...11 years ago.  Leaving behind family & friends.  Church & co-op.  Traveling to a home we've never actually seen.  To an address I've not yet memorized and haven't even map quested yet....therefore cannot speak much about. 

This is HUGE!

I am one proud mom.

Also a wise one....w/ lots of experience in the Real World.  Verses the Bubble one.

Expecting a time of whiplash...while hoping & praying it won't ever come.