Daddy Bob started it all

People for Care and Learning--or PCL as those in the know call it--began with the vision of this man, Bob Pace. Bob didn't launch this vision in his wide-eyed 30's. He did it after he retired. This was his plan:
PCL is “Inspiring hope and Empowering Potential” for orphans, widows, broken families and persons with little or no hope. In addition, PCL is giving the poor a working chance by the establishment of vocational training and micro-enterprise development. www.peopleforcare.org 

PCL operates a beautiful, vibrant orphanage in both Sri Lanka and Cambodia. These images of "Daddy Bob" were taken last month. The children had not seen Mr. and Mrs. Pace in a few years, and their faces tell the story as they gather to pray over him. These children are loved! Because Cambodia is not open to adoption, when a child is accepted into a PCL home, they have a home until adulthood. It was during this visit that the orphanage was named in honor of Bob and Clara Pace. Now THAT'S a retirement benefit!

I am 9% of my $3,000 PCL Run for Hope goal. Visit http://www.active.com/donate/pclrunforhope/mstum if you are able to participate, too.

Going nuclear.

I had the privilege to hear Dr. Walter Kimbrough, the President of Philander Smith College, during a Presidents' Panel at a higher ed conference last month. He is known as the Hip Hop Prez, and the guy had me at "hello." He told a story about getting his daughter into a particular public elementary school in Arkansas, and if he didn't get his way, he was "going nuclear." Well, folks. Here's me. I'm going nuclear.

What now, you ask? I'll make it short. My goal is to raise $3000.

On April 30, People for Care and Learning is hosting the Run for Hope--a fundraising opportunity during the Country Music Marathon. The CMM is a hugely popular marathon and half marathon in Nashville, TN that I've enjoyed running with dozens of Lee University alumni and friends, but this year I'm running for PCL. I have never witnessed an organization do all that this one does, especially for the people of Cambodia.  Because it would take me 27 days to tell you about it,  I'm going to take 27 days to do it. For the month of April I want to tell you about the Herculean efforts of People for Care and Learning. Jake has traveled with this organization twice in the last year, and he can testify to the genuine care and integrity of its leadership both locally and in Southeast Asia.

We're all stretched and committed to many, many projects, but if you would like to help me reach my goal, here are few amounts to consider:

• $13 - I'm running the half marathon. I've been training like it's my job, and I'm expecting a PR. 
• $26 - Run for Hope is a Country Music Marathon thing. That's 26.2 miles. It's on my bucket list. 
• $5/mile - It's a nice round number. ($65)
• $100 - You would be astounded at what $100 could do for a community learning to utilize a tilapia pond and a pig farm. 

I've created a giving website at http://www.active.com/donate/pclrunforhope/mstum.  If you want to send a good old fashioned check, that works great, too. Checks can be made directly to People for Care and Learning or to me to pass along.

The Stums
134 Woods Trl NE
Cleveland, TN 37323

Okay, one day down. 26 to go--nuclear style.

And it's only Monday!

It's spring break week for Luke, so that makes it spring break for all of us at least a little especially since Jake is in Cambodia. These fellas are all boy and ROWDY, but they are always up for a car ride and a day out together. One day they won't be, so I'll document it while I can.

These two have such a funny dynamic. Competitors, friends, brothers, opposing forces... and that's all before 8am.

Vismay loves to swing. He really loves the "papaw swing."

This one is a little generous. In his mind it was high altitude. In reality, not so much. I'm totally okay with a cautious 8 year old who enforces safety codes for his bros, though. Makes me look so laid back.

Have we ever mentioned that WonDOSEN means "brave man"?!?!?! Yowza.

















Vismay: Dear Lord, why? Cardboard and a hill. Have you nothing with sides and padding on flat land?








Brothers: Just do it!!

 

Oh how I love this one. No one has to know Dosen flew ahead of the others, hit a bump, and landed on his head.

Witnessing them cross over Jordan

I do not do this very often, but I just MUST share my friend Tracy's most recent post about celebrating one year home with their sibling group of four from Ethiopia. Add these most precious children to Levi, Nash, Elle and dad, Jimmy and you get one completely alive, loving, amazing, faith-FILLED household. 

Here's an excerpt from the post. You'll see why this woman is hero in my life:

The little boy who wanted to throw himself into the fire-- is my child--- and he is healed.

Matthew 17:14-21

The Mary who poured perfume on Jesus' feet from her alabaster box lives here--- and her box never runs low on oil.

John 12:1-8

The lost sheep who Jesus leaves the 99 behind to search for and brings back on his shoulders---has been restored.

Luke 15: 3-7
The dove that Noah sent out to look for land, has found a place to build his nest.
Genesis 8:12

More than once I've heard the question, 

"Do you ever wonder what you've gotten yourself into?"

Well, I did not get myself into it.  God did.

And I can honestly say that I have never doubted that AT ALL-----not even once!

It was His hand that stopped the flow of the Jordan for the Israelites to walk over on dry land.

And it was His hand that 

caused our eyes to fall on these sweet faces, 

released them from their chains, 

led us across the ocean to get them,

and has provided for our every need---- abundantly!

What does give me a sharp pain in my heart is the thought of what if I had just passed on these kids and said we'll choose others when the situation was looking hopeless. 

And the most beautiful part about it is that He used His Body to do all this.

When I think back over the past year, what stands out the most is how we have been so incredibly supported by His Body living out His truth in word, in prayer and in deed.

 

 

Honored to walk with you even a few steps, Tracy. You are a beautiful person raising a beautiful family in a home so warm and comfortable you cannot help but leave being a better person.

We are family

This week we celebrate six months together with Vismay. His new thing is drawing, and his specialty is drawing us, his family. I absolutely adore this picture because it is a little revelation of his heart. Adjustment is no cake walk. In fact, it is just plain HARD. But this sweet expression reminds me that every single day is worth it. We are going somewhere. Together.

Vismay is a treasure. Family should make us smile a great big smile, especially the family member that got an extra set of arms.

Well now what should we do?

A new year. I'm a huge fan of it. Although I'm not a resolution girl, I do love the clean slate feel. Maybe it is the deliverance from all the Christmas red sparklies that ignites hope and expectation again. I've decided holiday decor is a little like old boyfriends. Once it all ends, you wonder what you thought was so attractive.

This new year, though, I'm at a loss. In 2010, we were in the throws of waiting to bring Vismay home. In 2009, we knew it was likely we would embark on a second adoption journey. In 2008, we left in January to bring Dosen home. In 2007, we decided to adopt Dosen. Okay, you get it. I'm not leading up to an adoption announcement here, but the last 4 years have been marked with definite ADVENTURE. But what about this year? The Stum house is never lacking in dreams, wishes, crazy ideas, or want to's, but there's nothing specific looming right now. Maybe it will be a quiet year. Maybe that is God's plan. I trust Him completely, but I will confess I would be a little disappointed if 2011 wraps up with "quiet." I love adventure. I've learned to appreciate the discomfort that comes with the unknowns. After a colossal adventure failure several years ago, I thought I would crave safety and predictability forever. I did just that for a few years, but once the lessons of that failure came into focus and the financial hemorrhaging stopped, the people we grew into were far more interesting, grateful, and resilient than the safe people we started out as.

Do you know what 2011 has in store for you? Is there an adventure you're planning to dive into? If money were no object, what would you do? Maybe there's a goal you've set? Come on, friends. I need your inspiration. Leave me a comment with your what you know/hope/secretly wish 2011 will bring.

The Lord Almighty has sworn, surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.  Isaiah 25:1

Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21