It's amazing how very different each and every child is...
2 new additions to my house means that I know have 11 kiddos...
3 weeks- our little sleeper (except from 11-12 pm)
1 year- sweetest grin, loudest scream
1 year- giggler and just started WALKING
1 year- what a monkey... loves climbing everything
1 year- so chill and sweet
2 years- big helper and what a talker
3 years- mischief maker
4 years- adjusting to our family and gives the sweetest hugs
4 years- the "Boss" of the family
4 years- little Mama and loves on all the babies
6 years with special needs- squinty grin and LOVES to eat
These precious little ones remind me daily of my need for Jesus. Without Him, I am nothing. Without Him, I have nothing. He is my everything.
Gives grace when I don't know what to do.
Gives love when I am lonely.
Gives mercy when I fall short.
Gives rest when I have no strength (thanks baby for the weird sleep schedule)
Gives joy EVERY day.
The beauty of walking day by day with Jesus is that I am never alone.
Just like my kiddos, I am very different than others but the Father's love reaches down to each of us. He sees us with joy and love and gives us grace to love like He does.
REJOICE! We are HIS!
What a joy it has been to love these kids. Please join me in praying for the two newest little ones that moved in. Pray that God would touch their little hearts and that they would know Him! Also for wisdom and strength to raise all these crazies!
One more prayer request, Peniel went to Cochabamba for surgery to put a new shunt in her heart but we are waiting for one doctor to arrive from Colombia. Please be praying for wisdom and peace as we trust God's perfect timing.
Much love from Bolivia
~Lily Fluharty
Lily's kids
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Our home is with HIM
This past week was a very full one. A very emotional one. A bittersweet one. A week filled with grace.
A team from Holland was here for two weeks working on several different projects like fixing up three of the houses, putting on a new roof where we eat lunch, fixing the trampoline, doing crafts with the kids, soccer games at night, and a very fun goodbye party. What a blast it was to get to know them and see the way they served and loved the kids. Goodbyes are always hard but it's so amazing to see God unite brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what language is being spoken.
On Thursday, all of us here at Casa de Esperanza participated in a parade which meant waking up at 5am (and waking up all my little ones) so that we could get them dressed up in their costumes and do their hair and still get them to eat some breakfast and clean the house all before 8am. We barely made it out the door on time. Pretty sure I carried one of my little ones half dressed and without shoes on to the bus so we wouldn't be left behind. But oh how precious the little ones looked with their adorable outfits. Maybe I'm biased, but they are the CUTEST kids ever!
In the middle of all of the craziness, my heart was hurting as my Uncle back in the States passed away after fighting cancer for 15 months. Losing a loved one is so hard and I realized how far away I am when I wasn't there to hug my family. God is so gracious though and His peace is beyond anything I could imagine. My Uncle is now face to face with Jesus, praising Him and rejoicing in the presence of our Savior. There is such beauty in the fact that death here is just the beginning of life. Oh how I long for the day when Jesus calls me home to be with Him!
The same day that my Uncle went to be with Jesus, a new little life started here in Bolivia. And this little life came to join our family here at Casa de Esperanza three days later. This little boy doesn't have a name yet, but he is joining two of his sisters here at Casa de Esperanza. Elisabet is 8 years old and Abigail is 1 and now they have a new little brother. We are so excited to have this precious little gift from God!
Amazed at God's nearness and faithfulness. I don't deserve it, but He gives it freely. My reaction is to cling closer to my Savior. There are times where we don't even have the strength to go on, but God is our Shepherd and will lead us safely to Him. The rest and peace there is beyond words. Thank you Jesus!
Much love from Bolivia,
Lily Fluharty
A team from Holland was here for two weeks working on several different projects like fixing up three of the houses, putting on a new roof where we eat lunch, fixing the trampoline, doing crafts with the kids, soccer games at night, and a very fun goodbye party. What a blast it was to get to know them and see the way they served and loved the kids. Goodbyes are always hard but it's so amazing to see God unite brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what language is being spoken.
On Thursday, all of us here at Casa de Esperanza participated in a parade which meant waking up at 5am (and waking up all my little ones) so that we could get them dressed up in their costumes and do their hair and still get them to eat some breakfast and clean the house all before 8am. We barely made it out the door on time. Pretty sure I carried one of my little ones half dressed and without shoes on to the bus so we wouldn't be left behind. But oh how precious the little ones looked with their adorable outfits. Maybe I'm biased, but they are the CUTEST kids ever!
In the middle of all of the craziness, my heart was hurting as my Uncle back in the States passed away after fighting cancer for 15 months. Losing a loved one is so hard and I realized how far away I am when I wasn't there to hug my family. God is so gracious though and His peace is beyond anything I could imagine. My Uncle is now face to face with Jesus, praising Him and rejoicing in the presence of our Savior. There is such beauty in the fact that death here is just the beginning of life. Oh how I long for the day when Jesus calls me home to be with Him!
The same day that my Uncle went to be with Jesus, a new little life started here in Bolivia. And this little life came to join our family here at Casa de Esperanza three days later. This little boy doesn't have a name yet, but he is joining two of his sisters here at Casa de Esperanza. Elisabet is 8 years old and Abigail is 1 and now they have a new little brother. We are so excited to have this precious little gift from God!
Amazed at God's nearness and faithfulness. I don't deserve it, but He gives it freely. My reaction is to cling closer to my Savior. There are times where we don't even have the strength to go on, but God is our Shepherd and will lead us safely to Him. The rest and peace there is beyond words. Thank you Jesus!
Much love from Bolivia,
Lily Fluharty
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
More pain for more grace
Life goes by so quickly...
I blinked and suddenly I'm not a kid anymore.
There are times where I realize where God has me today and it blows me away.
I feel like I was just eight years old playing dolls with my sisters.
All those late night conversations and how we all thought it would be so weird when one of us got married.
Well, I just watched my oldest sister get married to the man she has been praying for all these years.
I stood there, watching her dance with her husband and it made me realize just has quickly time is passing by.
I think about that list by my bed when I was just learning how to write. With the numbers 1-100 all down the side and how I wanted to name all 100 of the kids I yearned to hold and protect and love. That desire is still there but now I am living a small piece of it.
All through my childhood I dreamed and prayed about the day I could move overseas and work with children. Today I just bought chocolate and smarties to bring back to the little ones I get to love on each and every day. It's been four years with those cuties.
Four years of loving those precious little ones that I had dreamed about loving. 18 years of praying and dreaming and hoping and planning.
God was preparing me those 18 years and has continued to teach me and grow me during these 4 at Casa de Esperanza in Bolivia.
Every struggle and hard moment was worth it. All the closed doors only meant that God would open the right door in His perfect timing. At the time it didn't make sense and it hurt. But now looking back on it, I see more clearly how God was leading me. I won't fully understand all of it but I have learned that God has it under control. But I still have so much to learn.
Watching my sister get married made me realize just how much more God has in store for me... it's not over yet! I feel small and young but remember that God is so much bigger than my weaknesses and youth. He is GOD. Pretty much all I need is in those three words.
He will NOT let me go.
He will lead me in His PERFECT plan.
He LOVES me.
He is FOR me.
My only reaction is to reach out and let Him wrap me in His arms and lead me on.
More abandoned babies, more hurting children, more broken single mamas, more pain.
But more of God's love, more of his healing, more of His forgiveness and more of His grace.
Every bit of brokenness I encounter or find in my own heart, I get to see God heal and restore.
Ashes to beauty.
I love seeing God work. I am excited to see God continue to work.
May He keep refining us and making us more into His image!
All glory to Him!
In Christ,
Lily Fluharty
I blinked and suddenly I'm not a kid anymore.
There are times where I realize where God has me today and it blows me away.
I feel like I was just eight years old playing dolls with my sisters.
All those late night conversations and how we all thought it would be so weird when one of us got married.
Well, I just watched my oldest sister get married to the man she has been praying for all these years.
I stood there, watching her dance with her husband and it made me realize just has quickly time is passing by.
I think about that list by my bed when I was just learning how to write. With the numbers 1-100 all down the side and how I wanted to name all 100 of the kids I yearned to hold and protect and love. That desire is still there but now I am living a small piece of it.
All through my childhood I dreamed and prayed about the day I could move overseas and work with children. Today I just bought chocolate and smarties to bring back to the little ones I get to love on each and every day. It's been four years with those cuties.
Four years of loving those precious little ones that I had dreamed about loving. 18 years of praying and dreaming and hoping and planning.
God was preparing me those 18 years and has continued to teach me and grow me during these 4 at Casa de Esperanza in Bolivia.
Every struggle and hard moment was worth it. All the closed doors only meant that God would open the right door in His perfect timing. At the time it didn't make sense and it hurt. But now looking back on it, I see more clearly how God was leading me. I won't fully understand all of it but I have learned that God has it under control. But I still have so much to learn.
Watching my sister get married made me realize just how much more God has in store for me... it's not over yet! I feel small and young but remember that God is so much bigger than my weaknesses and youth. He is GOD. Pretty much all I need is in those three words.
He will NOT let me go.
He will lead me in His PERFECT plan.
He LOVES me.
He is FOR me.
My only reaction is to reach out and let Him wrap me in His arms and lead me on.
More abandoned babies, more hurting children, more broken single mamas, more pain.
But more of God's love, more of his healing, more of His forgiveness and more of His grace.
Every bit of brokenness I encounter or find in my own heart, I get to see God heal and restore.
Ashes to beauty.
I love seeing God work. I am excited to see God continue to work.
May He keep refining us and making us more into His image!
All glory to Him!
In Christ,
Lily Fluharty
They make me smile
 |
| David, Cecila and Ismael |
I am heading back to Bolivia this weekend and I cannot wait to wrap up my little ones and smother them with kisses. I am missing them. Excited to finally be able to upload some pics! I don't get to do it enough and these smiling faces light up my day!
 |
| All my babies... well one is missing |
 |
| Enjoying coconut milk |
 |
| Ariel sewing with Anna |
 |
| Mateo |
 |
| Love these beautiful kids |
 |
| July, Peniel, Emanuel and Abigail |
 |
| Perfect excuse to come home. Congratulations Lindsey! |
God bless!!! Excited to see Him lead and guide me!
~Lily Flu
Sunday, June 28, 2015
8 under 5
8 under 5...
New little guy makes the crazy kid count in my house 8... plus the other Tia I live with has two kids who are 3 and 1...
10 under 5...
watching my littlest giggle and scrunch up her nose
seeing our newest learn to smile and receive love
hearing my 4 year old pray at night and pray for my family
watching my biggest little man jump around and be So HAPPY
hugging my 3 year old and hearing her call me "Mami"
Laughing as my chubby 4 year old FINALLY learns to jump
singing with my 1 year old
getting BIG hugs from my precious 5 year old with special needs
Oh the beauty of loving these children and receiving so much love...
I'm heading to the States for a couple of weeks for my sister's wedding and I'm excited to see God continue to work!!! Hopefully in the States I can get some more blog posts written... hooray for bad internet here! ;)
Continually amazed at what God is doing in my heart and in my house. Love seeing Him so graciously leading me in His perfect plan.
His great love will lead me through. My peace, my joy, my Father!!!
Much love,
Lily Flu
New little guy makes the crazy kid count in my house 8... plus the other Tia I live with has two kids who are 3 and 1...
10 under 5...
watching my littlest giggle and scrunch up her nose
seeing our newest learn to smile and receive love
hearing my 4 year old pray at night and pray for my family
watching my biggest little man jump around and be So HAPPY
hugging my 3 year old and hearing her call me "Mami"
Laughing as my chubby 4 year old FINALLY learns to jump
singing with my 1 year old
getting BIG hugs from my precious 5 year old with special needs
Oh the beauty of loving these children and receiving so much love...
I'm heading to the States for a couple of weeks for my sister's wedding and I'm excited to see God continue to work!!! Hopefully in the States I can get some more blog posts written... hooray for bad internet here! ;)
Continually amazed at what God is doing in my heart and in my house. Love seeing Him so graciously leading me in His perfect plan.
His great love will lead me through. My peace, my joy, my Father!!!
Much love,
Lily Flu
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Screaming
Screaming.
One of my little guys decided that this week would be a week of screaming.
Wonderful.
And one of my little gals decided to join him.
Let's just say this was a very loud week in my house!
It's in moments with two little ones screaming and two babies on their potty chairs waiting to be changed and two little girls running around laughing and kind of putting on pajamas and one looking for her toothbrush and another one yelling, "Tia Lily, toilet paper PLEASE" that I either just about lose it or start laughing.
So many times do I need grace in the midst of the chaos.
It's not always kisses and hugs.
I LOVE and treasure those moments. ALOT.
But all moms know that in between those beautiful moments there are moments of pure chaos where you literally don't know which kid to tend to first and usually go towards who is screaming the loudest just to bring the noise level down a few notches.
Beautiful chaos how redemptive you are.
Seeing God refine and work in me in those chaotic moments. In the moments where I would much rather sleep in than wake up and re-clean the house and restart the chaos.
But God.
That's where my hope lies. In the hard days, in the good days, it's all up to Him! I am not here because of me. It's all about Jesus and His goodness and love. It's beautiful. I can find rest in Him even in the craziest of crazy moments.
And every hug and kiss completely wipes away every frustration.
We have been working on a memory verse all month and I have been amazed seeing the little ones memorize it! It's Hebrews 4:12-13 (In Spanish) and each little one LOVES it when it's their time to recite it by memory. Even 2 year old Emanuel knows most of it!!! Mariros (3 years old) usually throws in the word Princess here and there too... ;)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God is ALIVE AND ACTIVE!!!!
So blessed at everything God is teaching me and learning to trust Him isn't always easy but it's All for HIM!!!
Thank you all for your love and support and prayers!!!!
In Christ who completely blows me away,
Lily Flu
One of my little guys decided that this week would be a week of screaming.
Wonderful.
And one of my little gals decided to join him.
Let's just say this was a very loud week in my house!
It's in moments with two little ones screaming and two babies on their potty chairs waiting to be changed and two little girls running around laughing and kind of putting on pajamas and one looking for her toothbrush and another one yelling, "Tia Lily, toilet paper PLEASE" that I either just about lose it or start laughing.
So many times do I need grace in the midst of the chaos.
It's not always kisses and hugs.
I LOVE and treasure those moments. ALOT.
But all moms know that in between those beautiful moments there are moments of pure chaos where you literally don't know which kid to tend to first and usually go towards who is screaming the loudest just to bring the noise level down a few notches.
Beautiful chaos how redemptive you are.
Seeing God refine and work in me in those chaotic moments. In the moments where I would much rather sleep in than wake up and re-clean the house and restart the chaos.
But God.
That's where my hope lies. In the hard days, in the good days, it's all up to Him! I am not here because of me. It's all about Jesus and His goodness and love. It's beautiful. I can find rest in Him even in the craziest of crazy moments.
And every hug and kiss completely wipes away every frustration.
We have been working on a memory verse all month and I have been amazed seeing the little ones memorize it! It's Hebrews 4:12-13 (In Spanish) and each little one LOVES it when it's their time to recite it by memory. Even 2 year old Emanuel knows most of it!!! Mariros (3 years old) usually throws in the word Princess here and there too... ;)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God is ALIVE AND ACTIVE!!!!
So blessed at everything God is teaching me and learning to trust Him isn't always easy but it's All for HIM!!!
Thank you all for your love and support and prayers!!!!
In Christ who completely blows me away,
Lily Flu
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Mother's Day
Today we celebrated Mother's Day at church with a special lunch of Sajta de Pollo which is my favorite dish here in Bolivia. It's chicken with chuños and potatoes and a spicy sauce! So delicious! After lunch, as we drove back up to Casa de Esperanza, the truck stopped and wouldn't start up again… which means over a half hour of waiting all squished into a truck. I had two babies in my arms and they were wiggly! haha! But finally, another truck from Casa came back to get us and we rode up with all the younger kids singing praise music at the top of our lungs! Such a fun afternoon!
Blessed by so many little ones who smother me with their hugs and kisses. For little boys who give me Mother's Day cards and hug me and bigger boys who give me Mother's day cards and still hug me! Blessed by little babies who wrap their arms around my neck or giggle and scrunch up their noses. Thankful for older girls who make me laugh and smile. Thankful for a little ones who copy me in raising their hands during worship.
BLESSED!!!
Learning to find joy in every day! Learning to thank God and find His unending beauty. He is faithful! He is beautiful and so worthy!
In Christ Jesus who's love is beautiful,
Lily Fluharty
Blessed by so many little ones who smother me with their hugs and kisses. For little boys who give me Mother's Day cards and hug me and bigger boys who give me Mother's day cards and still hug me! Blessed by little babies who wrap their arms around my neck or giggle and scrunch up their noses. Thankful for older girls who make me laugh and smile. Thankful for a little ones who copy me in raising their hands during worship.
BLESSED!!!
Learning to find joy in every day! Learning to thank God and find His unending beauty. He is faithful! He is beautiful and so worthy!
In Christ Jesus who's love is beautiful,
Lily Fluharty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)