WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO....

We have been gone from ABC Homes for about 3 weeks now. We did get custody of a young man from the home. He is the guy on the right. His name is Jackie. He is 17 yrs old. He came to the home about 2 weeks before we did in October last year. When we came to the home we became his relief house parents. He was not saved and was set on serving his 6 months in the home and then going back to his lifestyle. He loved what he was doing in his life and he just wanted to go back to where he was comfortable. One day Jackie asked me if when he died, could he go to Heaven and ask God to be one of the devils demons. I was floored. I told him no. It did not work like that. I told him that he would go to hell and burn with the others that did not know Christ. Over the months Jackie began to ask more and more questions about God. We told him that God was much stronger than the devil and has so much more power than the devil. That seemed to interest him. Over the months each Sunday I would watch him during the invitational song. He was holding onto the pew so hard that you could not have torn him away if you had to. But one day, the Holy Spirit did. Jackie released his hold on that pew and took off like a rocket down that isle. Jackie got saved and became a soldier for Christ. Jackie stayed in his Bible learning everything he could about Jesus. He got in trouble a few times for staying up so late reading his Bible. LOL. He would not go to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning and he was getting really tired in school. Jackie has since preached in a couple of churches and has joined our family in seeking God's will for our lives. Since the day he moved in with us, every morning he gets up and hugs me and tells me how much he loves us and is so happy with his new family. I know Jackie is going to do great things for God and I am honored that God has allowed my family to be part of that. Gary and I have gone back to our jobs that we had before we went to the children's ministry. Gary is going to a church in Tiller in view of a call tomorrow so please be in prayer for that. We want to be in God's will always. Please continue to pray for our family as we seek God's will and we will keep you updated. Thank you and God bless you! 

THE FINAL POST AT ABC HOMES

Yesterday we got moved back to Benton. We love the house and love the quiet time right now. We do miss all the kiddos at the home though. We still have a lot of boxes to sort through so I guess that's how I will spend my day today. I got up this morning, at 10:30, Gary and Jackie were on the back porch doing their Bible study. I thought that was sweet. Watching them two together study about God. I believe God has worked all of this out for a great reason. I know he has big plans for our family and we are excited about our next ministry. We are even more excited that God has given us another son to teach about his love. We got custody of Jackie last week and he is very excited about getting opportunities to preach. We are very excited we could give him a family to grow with. I'm trying to learn to forgive today. We were told a lot of things before we moved that really caused anger and pain in our hearts. We are praying for love and for God to give us the peace we need to forgive. We are praying for God to open hearts and to soften them for his ministry. We are trying to remember that it was all for God's glory.... God loves us so much and we know that he is marking the path ahead of us. This post is going to be the close of this blog. We loved our time at ABC Homes but felt that God was moving us on. Sometimes his will even hurts but we must follow and obey. We love the kids there so much and will always pray for them...and we will always have a very special place in our hearts for them. They are great kids and care so much about people. I know that God is going to do great things in their lives.  I hope you have a great day today. Thank you for being so faithful to pray for the ministry and for these awesome kids. May God richly bless you! We love you. 
Love, The Rochester's


JOHN 3:16 God loves the world!!!

GOING HOME

It's been a while but we are headed on. I don't even remember the last time we got to go see my mom. It seems like forever! All the kids are offering to help us so it should go fast. I'm going to miss these kids. They are such awesome kids and deserve great things to happen for them. They have the sweetest spirits and would do anything in the world for you. We love you guys and will miss you so much! God bless you all.

SAYING GOOD-BYE

THE DAY IS HERE. IT'S TIME FOR US TO SAY GOOD BYE. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE HARDEST PART OF THIS MINISTRY. WE ARE GOING TO MISS EVERYONE SO MUCH! WE HAVE SEEN KIDS HERE GROW IN THEIR CHRISTIAN WALK AND SPREAD THEIR WINGS AND FLY. WE HAVE SEEN CHANGES IN KIDS THAT WOULD AMAZE YOU, CHANGES ONLY GOD CAN DO IN YOUR LIFE. I PRAY THAT THIS MINISTRY BLOSSOMS AND KIDS HEARTS GET SET ON FIRE FOR SERVING OUR LORD. I PRAY FOR ALL THE CHILDREN HERE, THE ONES THAT HAVE LEFT AND THE ONES YET TO COME. I PRAY THAT THE HOUSE PARENTS REALIZE HOW BLESSED THEY ARE TO BE A PART OF SUCH AN AWESOME MINISTRY. I PRAY FOR THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT ABC HOMES AND AM SO VERY THANKFUL FOR THEM. THIS MINISTRY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND YOUR PRAYERS. GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD. I KNOW THAT HE IS PROUD OF THE WORK BEING DONE FOR HIS CHILDREN. I WILL MISS BEING A PART OF IT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND WE LOVE YOU GUYS VERY MUCH!

            Numbers 6:25-26
²⁵ the LORD make his face shine on you
   and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you
   and give you peace.”’

 

The Lord will always be with us, even if you feel alone. Remeber God is always there holding your hand. He loves us more than any human on earth will ever love us. Always look for comfort in God's arms.

PACKING TO HEAD HOME

Yes we are doing it. It has been a very slow process for us but we are packing to go home. We are hoping to have everything packed and ready to pull out by noon tomorrow. The boys and girls at the home decided to surprise us with a surprise party tonight. The only thing is that they had to tell us so we could help them. LOL. We will miss them so much and will be praying for them everyday! This picture above caught my eye. It reminded me how God gives us choices in our lives. We pray we always make the right one but sometimes we may take the wrong path. Even when the wrong path is taken, you can learn from it and start back on the right path with God. Even when you venture off the well beaten path, if it's not where God wants you, he will lead you back where you need to be. My prayer today is for the kids of ABC Homes. I pray they find peace and our successful in their lives and their Christian walk. We love you all so much and we will be back to see you very soon.

                                       WE LOVE YOU!

LEAVING KANSAS

The guys are on their way home today. They had an awesome time in Kansas! They got to go on a tour at the Kansas basketball stadium. They toured the locker rooms, the room they hold media conferences and the court. That was the highlight of their trip I think. I'm surprised they were able to be torn away from there. LOL. It will be nice to have them home again. I hope they got to speak to many about Christ and planted lots of seeds. I hope they continue to plant them when they get home. :) God is so good. Pray for a safe trip home for them. God bless you!

PRAYER

Tomorrow our guys will be coming home from their Kansas mission trip. Gary said they have had a wonderful time. It will be an experience they always will remember. We go on duty for IB boys tomorrow and will be finished on Tuesday. I am going to miss the kids here so much. I wished things could have been different. I know that God is not finished with ABC Homes though. There are still a lot of kids who need help, so please continue supporting them in any way you can. You can always support them by praying for the kids, house parents and all the staff here at the home. I believe in the power of prayer! God bless you.

AWESOME DAY!

WE HAD A GREAT DAY TODAY. WE LEFT OUT EARLY TO GO TO COURT IN HOPE, AR. WE WALKED IN TO THE COURT ROOM AND THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE THERE. WE THOUGHT, OH BOY, WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE A WHILE. THE LAWYER SEEN US WALK IN AND CAME STRAIGHT TO US. HE WALKED UP TO THE JUDGE AND WHISPERED SOMETHING IN HIS EAR. THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, HE WAS CALLING OUR CASE FIRST. IT WAS GREAT! THE JUDGE ASKED JACKIE IF HE WAS SURE HE WANTED TO DO THIS, AND HE SAID; NO DOUBT! THE JUDGE ASKED ME IF WE WERE READY TO TAKE HIM, AND I SAID; ABSOLUTELY! A FEW MINUTES LATER, IT WAS DONE AND WE WERE HEADED HOME. A PLACE FOR JACKIE TO CALL HOME. A HOME WHERE WE CAN ALL BE A FAMILY. IT WAS DEFIANTLY A GOD THING TO GO THE WAY IT DID. JACKIE WAS SO EXCITED ON THE WAY HOME. HE WOULD GET QUIET AND THEN JUST SMILE AND SAY; I'M SO EXCITED! LYNDSIE AND ETHAN WERE SO EXCITED WHEN I CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM THEY HAD ANOTHER BROTHER. THEY HAVE BECOME SO CLOSE HERE AT THE HOME AND ETHAN SAID HE WASN'T LEAVING WITHOUT JACKIE. WE GOT HIM A CELL PHONE TODAY SO WHEN WE TURN HIM LOOSE AT HOME, I CAN CALL AND CHECK ON HIM. LOL. I'M ALREADY AN OVER PROTECTIVE MOTHER. IT IS A TRUE BLESSING THAT WE COULD ADD THIS YOUNG MAN TO OUR FAMILY. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF HIS SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND SO GLAD THAT GOD ALLOWED US TO BE A PART OF HIS LIFE. PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL TO SETTLE WELL. I KNOW IT WILL BE AN ADJUSTMENT FOR JACKIE AND FOR US BUT WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. PRAISE THE LORD AND GOD BLESS YOU!

GOD IS SO GOOD!

MOST ALL OF OUR GUYS ARE IN KANSAS THIS WEEK ON A MISSION TRIP. THEY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME. TONIGHT THEY ARE WATCHING AN INDIAN DANCE AND THEY ARE EATING INDIAN TACO'S. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO JESUS BY THEIR WORDS AND THEIR ACTIONS. ALSO PRAY FOR ME. I AM GOING TO TAKE ONE OF OUR BOYS TO COURT TOMORROW SO THAT HE CAN COME LIVE WITH US. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY. ALSO PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY. OUR LAST DAY AT THE HOME WILL BE TUESDAY, JULY 12TH. WE ARE SAD TO LEAVE THE KIDS BUT ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR US.  WE SERVE A MIGHTY AND AWESOME GOD! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS....AND GOD BLESS YOU!

GOD SPEAKS TO YOU...YOU JUST HAVE TO LISTEN

WELCOME HOME MAGGIE!

A group came and did a firework show for us Friday night. Our dog, Maggie, is deathly afraid of thunderstorms. She was outside when the fireworks started and she took off running without us knowing. Lyndsie got Maggie for Christmas when she was young. Maggie was only a few weeks old and she will be 11 years old this October. She has never ran away before. We spent about 3 hours Friday night looking for her but did not find her. Saturday morning I got the boys out and we drove the streets and then walked for a while....but still no Maggie. A very good friend of mine had also been spending several hours looking for her. Lyndsie made Reward posters for Maggie on Saturday and she went Saturday afternoon to hang them up. It was around 7:00 PM last night and Lyndsie and I decided to call the search off for the night. We were very upset because Maggie was not an outside dog. She did not like the heat and she slept on a comfy bed. We were worried about where she was sleeping and how she was making it through the hot days. Lyndsie and I could not sleep without her....we were worried sick! Our friend, Jonathan, decided he was going to take Ethan and go and hang more posters and look for Maggie a little longer. When he left with Ethan, I had this horrible thought. Gary and I resigned from ABC Homes the previous Tuesday and Gary was wanting to go to another children's ministry. I told him that I could not go because they don't allow pets there and I wasn't leaving Maggie with any one. I was texting my mom and telling her what if God took her from me because I said no to his will. A couple of years back  I told God I was going to be a "Yes God" disciple, and now I was saying No?? I text my mom and said; Whether God gives me Maggie back or not, I'm going to be a "Yes God" disciple! Whatever or where ever he wants me to go....I will go. Less than 5 minutes after I sent that text my friend called and said; WE FOUND MAGGIE! He said he was fixing to turn around because Ethan said she would not have walked that far when he seen a dog walking in the middle of the road. Ethan called her name and she ran to the car. She was covered in hitch hikers and exhausted but she was fine. She came home and we gave her a bath, she drank a ton of water and ate what seemed to be forever. I realized that when God had reminded me of my promise to be a "Yes God" disciple, and I told him I was sorry...he gave me Maggie back. Sometimes when we think we have it all figured out, that's when God reminds us he is in control. God will speak to us. Sometimes he will use the closet things or people to our hearts to get to us. Whatever if takes....God had the final word. I'm a "YES GOD" DISCIPLE. Send me....I will go!

THANK YOU JONATHAN FOR NOT STOPPING UNTIL YOU FOUND OUR PRECIOUS PET. WE LOVE YOU!