Today I’m going to share something a little different {well actually a lot different} than my normal tips & tricks. Today I’m going to share a piece of my heart with you, a journey that God is taking Matt and I on. It’s an exciting and terrifying journey, but it’s God’s journey, we are just along for the ride. So what is it? It’s the road to adoption. Here’s our story…
On July 31, 2011, I was sitting in church during announcements, when one of our pastors got up to announce that a couple from another church was going to be coming in a few weeks to talk to us about the sex trafficking epidemic, and that they were going to be opening a home to bring in rescued children. Immediately in my spirit I felt the words, “I have to have one of those girls.” Now you need to understand that adoption was pretty much the furthest thing from my mind. Even when we had a hard time getting pregnant with Malea adoption was never even an option for us. So for me to think “I have to have one of those girls”, was totally not me, it was the Lord planting a seed in my heart. After church that day I shared with Matt what had happened. His reaction what what I had expected, he was shocked and skeptical. But because I knew in my heart that this was God’s plan, not mine, I knew he would work out the details.
Over the last year God has been faithful in giving both of us a heart for adopting a little girl. On October 1, 2011, God gave Matt at name. We don’t know if the name is going to be the actual name of our girl, or if it’s the meaning of the name that’s important, it’s just nice to have something to call her when we refer to her. The name God gave Matt is Gabriella which means: strength of God, God is my might and woman of God. Isn’t that amazing! What a awesome name for us to call our daughter and pray over her!
The next Sunday our pastor started a series called Money, Sex and Power (click here to listen to it on iTunes). In the messages about sex I was so broken thinking about how Satan has hijacked the sacredness and the gift of sex, something that should be so beautiful in marriage, but has been so corrupted that now people actually traffic children to make money. It makes me sick to even type that because it’s so awful and disgusting. I can’t even fathom it. Throughout the series God broke my heart for Gabriella and I started praying for her, that God would give her hope, even though she was living in darkness.
A few weeks later I was at a fundraiser for our friends who were adopting a baby from Ethiopia. I ended up buying this painting that my friend Tricia had painted because I thought it was beautiful. Do you remember it from my office makeover? It was the inspiration piece for the entire room.
I bought the painting because I liked it but on my way home God began to speak to me about the painting. When I look at the painting now I see Gabriella. I can’t see her face but I feel like this painting represents who she will be, free. The girl in the painting looks so free, with her hair and dress blowing in the wind, totally carefree, and I know that will be how Gabriella will feel someday. This painting represents the hope that I have for my daughter. And you want to know what it’s called? The title of the painting is “Every time I thought of you”. I just love that!
All of this happened within a couple of months, God was speaking, he was growing our hearts for her, and then nothing… we didn’t hear anything for a long time. We were still faithful to pray for her but we weren’t sure what the next step was. At this point we hadn’t even told our families because we weren’t sure what, how, when… anything, we didn’t know anything, we just knew God had planted a seed in us.
I feel like the months that were to come were a time of waiting and learning. And what we learned was horrible. This is one of those things that I don’t even want to think about or know about but at the same time I want to know everything about it and I want everyONE to know about it because it needs to be stopped! Sex trafficking is an awful, horrible, disgusting thing but it’s running rampant {and growing more everyday} all over the world. I know most people think that sex trafficking only happens in other countries but the truth is that it’s everywhere, especially up and down the I-5 corridor. I-5 is a huge freeway that runs from Mexico all the way up to Canada and everyday kids are being “shipped” up and down the states in semi trucks.
It’s absolutely awful to think about but it’s the truth and we want to see it stopped. It makes me sick to think that children are being trafficked right through the town I live in. Every time I see a semi truck now I pray. I pray that if there are kids in the back that they would be rescued and I pray for the driver, that he would have a God encounter. I want God to show up in their trucks and overwhelm their spirits so that they have to pull over and let the children out. Wouldn’t that be amazing!?
I also have a friend that has been taking training classes, at a local church, because it’s her heart to see these trafficked children set free. I have learned so much from her about the way that the Pimps think, the awful things they do to break the spirits of these children and rob them of all hope. It’s sick, I have a pit in my stomach just thinking about it. She also let Matt and I borrow a movie called Nafarious: Merchant of Souls. It’s an extremely eye-opening documentary about sex trafficking all around the world. I’ve never felt so sick in my life, as I did watching that movie, but if you have a heart for this type of thing it’s a must watch! You can see a preview of it here.
So for months now we’ve been in a season of waiting and learning, until September 2nd. On September 2nd I was in the back of my church during worship when God completely broke me. I was singing a worship song when all of the sudden I felt something hit my heart {literally} and I started weeping. Immediately I started praying for Gabriella, God had put her on my heart so heavily, I couldn’t bear the weight, all I could do was cry and pray. The burden to pray for her was so strong and I felt God saying, “the time is now.” I felt the call to pray for her freedom from captivity and to pray that God would seal up hope in her heart, even in the midst of a hopeless situation. I felt like God was saying the time has come to tell everyone, to shout it from the rooftops because the power of prayer will lead to her freedom from captivity. I was a wreck, I cried and prayed for the entire worship service, and then I cried all over again when I told Matt that afternoon.
Since that Sunday this journey has become more real than ever before. We sat all of our family members down and shared our story/journey with them, we’ve started telling our friends, and now I’m telling the world. I’m doing my best to “shout it from the rooftops” because our prayers will set her free, I believe it in my heart.
God has also started putting people in our path that will eventually lead us to Gabriella. Just last week we were pouring wine at an event for my in laws (they own a winery) and ended up meeting a man whose job is to rescue girls out of trafficking! It was so random, but really it was just so God! God said “the time is now” which is so exciting because I thought that meant it was just time to pray, but God meant more than that. He is putting the right people in our path, he is leading us and giving us steps to take. For so long we have felt helpless but now we have something we can do! We can get involved, start getting to know that man’s organization and the girls he’s already rescued, we can start getting training… and who knows what else is coming!
God is also growing our hearts even more for Gabriella. Everyday Malea asks “when am I getting my sister?”, I’ve started to long for her and feel like she’s already a part of me, a missing piece. And God is speaking to Matt too, just last Sunday he wrote this in his journal as he cried through worship, “God has given me a father’s heart. I pray that our daughter would know what a loving father’s pursing heart looks like: calling her beautiful, speaking peaceful words to her hear and redefining her identity. I will fight, I will restore, I will trample the enemy, I will cover and protect her. I will redeem. God has locked up some of His glory and presence in our little girl and I will not see or experience Him in those ways until she is home.” Isn’t that incredible!? God is so amazing!
So this is where we are at. I know this is a lot to take in but I had to share it with you. This has completely consumed me for the last couple weeks so I wanted to share with you because I want you to really know me and know my heart. I love to clean, organize, decorated and all that, but I’m also burning with a passion for the trafficked children and I know God has called us to bring one home and show her what family and love look like. I believe God has big plans for our little girl and I’m exited to see how he uses her to change us and change the world!
Please join us in praying that God would set our Gabriella free and bring her home!
For a follow up please see this post.
Wow, that is so incredible! Best of luck to all of you. You guys are doing an amazing thing!
Wow Anna! Just wow! I am so proud of you and I am with you on this journey!
Beautiful!
Anna! I am so thankful that you stepped out to shout this on your blog! I truly believe that we are entering a time of sexual revelation! Sex was a gift given to us by God and it has been do damaged and perverted that it is hurting our children. I’m excited to hear more about how God is bringing your family into this sexual revolution that needs to come to our World! Cultivating a “Culture of Life”. I am praying for Gabriella.. I can’t bear the pain that she is experiencing and all of the terrible things that she is having to endure until the day she is safe in the arms of you and Matt.
Walking with you,
Kari
Wow thank you for sharing your heart. We are hearing more and more about this here thanks to passionate and caring people like you. I will be in prayer! Again thank you for sharing.
Such a wonderful story of how God is working in you and your husbands hearts and preparing you both for you daughter. Will be praying she will be free soon and if your loving arms!
Oh, I’m so excited for you, Anna! I think it’s wonderful that you want to adopt and that you have this special place your heart for this girl. God is doing a good work in you and Matt 🙂 I will be praying for you!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Oh, Anna!
I will be praying for you and Matt and Malea and Gabriella.
The Lord knows your heart, His plans, and His timing.
My heart is for women and girls that are exploited AND those that think that there’s no other option than to sell themselves to live.
I will check out the video on NetFlix.
Who knows how many other children you may save because of your sharing?
Maybe you’re an Esther?
Lord, we beg you to bring this evil practice to light. We beg you to help our hearts hear Anna’s message of salvation and hope. We beg you to use us to hear the cries of those in pain. Use us, Lord. Amen.
Love, Leslie
Thank you so much Leslie!
Jesus,
My heart is so overwhelmed by the heart you have given Matt and Anna and even Malea to bring one of Your sweet girls into a home that shouts Your name from the rooftops. A home that carries peace. A home that speaks truths. A home filled with grace. A home that leaks LOVE. I declare freedom NOW, God. Freedom for Matt to claim his role as Gabriella’s father and walk boldly in it with no fear, knowing that he was perfectly created to be Malea and Gabriella’s daddy. I pray freedom for Anna when the days seems long and doubt and anxiety threaten to quench the incredible HOPE and longing you have placed on her heart. Anna is Gabriella’s momma, and no one can fill that role but her. So I pray creativity into this season of waiting. And Malea. Wow, Your heart for this precious little girl’s place in Gabriella’s life is so beyond my comprehension. I pray freedom for Malea to love her sister with complete abandon. A sister’s love is so unlike any other love in the world, and I pray you would begin to create blood ties between Malea and Gabriella. Nothing and no one will be able to become between the bond that you have created for them. It’s perfect. Jesus, I ask that Anna would see You dancing over her with immeasurable amounts of pride and joy that she is Yours. I thank you that she has been abundantly obedient to Your call and pray that she would feel the rewards of Heaven in her life and her soul. Kingdom of Heaven, move quickly!! Bring Gabriella home in a supernatural, impossible way. We love you!
Amen.
Anna, I know next to nothing about you other than the fact that you can decorate a cake like nobody’s business and your organizational skills are freaking exceptional. But this post is my favorite. I’ve gotten nail polish out of my carpet, made fabric rosettes, and painted a straight line thanks to you. But this gave me a glimpse into the heart of the author. and that’s my most favorite thing of all. THANK YOU for your transparency! As I was reading (through tears), I just got this overwhelming love for your girls. Both of them. And I will be praying for all of you as you journey to bring Gabriella home. What a glorious, glorious day that will be.
Hugs!
Wow, thank you so much Alyssa! I have a feeling I will look back on your comment for months to come, and be blessed by it!
What a beautiful story. Thank you for opening up and sharing your journey with us. It is exciting to see God’s work!
The three of you are amazing.
I’m so happy to read this story. You are the hands and feet of Jesus! Bless you and yours Anna. I’ll be praying for Gabriella.
Father in heaven
you set your people free through
the death and rising of your Son
and every day
through the work of your saints
you set the captives free from chains of bondage
and now i pray
right along with this precious
and obedient family
that you would set your child Gabriella free
free indeed
seal up hope in her heart
project her body and soul
and bring her home
to her faithfully waiting family
amen and amen
Thank you so much for your prayer!
Oh, Anna, I am so blown away by your story and how God is moving mightily in your family’s life. I will keep Gabriella and all those innocent, trafficked children in prayer. May God free them all!
Blessings and love to you always, my dear!
Wonderful writing and very convicting. We are definitely called to help those in need and those girls sure are in need. Our church has a huge heart for those girls and are very involved in trying to put a stop to it.
That is SO awesome Lori! I love hearing that!
This is truly phenomenal. I will definitely be praying for you, your family and Gabriella. Its God’s will, and His will shall be done! Praise Him! He is already steering you, please keep us all posted!
God is gooooood!!! Wow…sad & happy tears… I am praying! God will bring her to you soon!
Oh, Anna, I am SO glad we can shout it now. You have ignited our hearts to fan the flame. We will not cease praying EVER. We love Gabriella and long for that missing piece from the Moseley line to be filled. So proud of you.
Anna, what an amazing story and so courageous for you to share it. I truly believe that nothing is circumstance and that God puts things and people into our lives at just the right moment to prepare us for our journey! My prayers go out to your family and Gabriella and know he will truly bring her home soon. God Bless you on your journey.
Tami
Hey Anna –
Mimi and I are SO PROUD of you and Matt for crying out for Gabriella! We love joining you in this quest for not only freeing her from this aweful state, but to see other girls and boys freed as well.
We are standing with you, and praying for you. And we’re with you in crying out on behalf of your beloved Gabriella. We cry FREEDOM and RESTORATION and HOPE and JOY for her!
Love you! :o)
Anna you are incredible! I am so excited to see what God has been doing in you and that you are just sitting back to wait for it to happen. That you are pursuing her and the calling that he has on your life. You are an inspiration to so many people and an eye opener for those who may not be aware of what is going on. I am excited to be on this journey with you and see her come home!!!!!!! 🙂
Anna,
I can’t stop crying. This is such a beautiful story. What a passion! I’m so excited for you, Matt and Malea in this journey but I”m especially excited for Gabriella. How wonderful that God has made such a design and I believe with my whole heart that he will bring you all together someday!
Oh Anna! What a beautiful story for Gabriella when she finally makes it home. I will absolutely be praying for you, for Gabriella, and for your family and friends- that she is welcomed, cherished, and loved from the very start by all who come in her presence. She is a very blessed girl indeed to be adored so much before she is even known. May the love of G-d overwhelm you more and you feel his loving guidance every step of this journey! Bless you!
Thank you for sharing your heart with your readers. I was so moved by this post. I will pray for you and your family and for all the girls who suffer this exploitation. What, if anything, can we do to help girls who are victims of sex trafficking?
I don’t know, that’s my question right now too. I think doing research to find out if there are any organizations in your community is a good place to start. Get involved and donate time and/or money if you can. I think another huge this is to spread awareness and learn how to prevent abductions! Everyday I’m more surprised to find out how BIG of a problem this really is, and I think so many of us are totally oblivious to it. Prayer is another thing. Pray that God would establish safe homes because they can’t be rescued if there’s nowhere to send them.
Prayer is something I can definitely do! I will do some research as well. I truly had no idea this went on in our very own country. I have read about the horrors in other countries but your message struck me even harder than any news article I’ve ever read. I have a little girl as well. I see her innocence and it hurts me to think that anyone could do something so horrific to these beautiful, innocent, young girls. Thank you for this very personal post. You have enlightened me. My prayers are with you and your family as well as the victims of these dispicable crimes. God bless!
I just started reading your blog for organizing tips and, but today I got even more exited about this blog, I’m so happy that God has a plan for every one of us, and that he talks to us and change our hearts.
For a long time I’m sick and sad about this question and I’m happy to know that other people care and pray about it.
That God save and bless your Gabriela and all the other Gabrielas in the world.
P.s.: sorry if I misspelled something or it is hard to understand, I,m from brasil….
Anna, I feel the love in your heart for this wonderful child that will soon be with you. Gabriella and your family are blessed and will continue to be a blessing to all you reach. Rev. Dr. Nancy Carr, Voice of Peace, Inc., Vieques, Puerto Rico
Beautiful post Anna – you brought tears to my eyes. God bless you and your husband – you are wonderful people. I hope your dreams come true real soon!
Your family and your Gabriella have my prayers. Having answered the Lord’s call to volunteer with “street kids” a long while ago, my heart is with you and Gabriella, as is the Lord’s. I can’t wait to hear how the Lord moves in your life and in your Gabriella’s.
Oh sweet wonderful Anna,
My heart is so full as I sit here and praise the Lord that you are so open….so welcoming….so available to the incredible blessing that God has in store for you. I know that Gabriella will be home soon and your arms will be full of blessings. May the Lord bless you and keep you strong and ready for the journey ahead.
Blessings to you my wonderful friend,
karianne
Thanks for taking the risk to share your heart with your readers!! God is doing an amazing thing in your lives and I am so grateful that you are listening and obeying even though there has to be doubts and fears about it all. May God give you that wonderful peace and absolute faith and trust in Him as the details are unwrapped before your eyes!! May you be amazed even further of what God can and will do through your family and in the life of Gabriella and in Who God is!
I need to watch that documentary about the sex trafficking that is way too prevalent- I want to pretend it isn’t there and ignore it because it is way too disgusting to fully realize what is really going on maybe in my own neighborhood!
May God continue to lead you and your family and make it completely clear as to which direction to take until you have Gabriella safely in your home and life!!
Wow Anna, what a journey you and your husband have been on. I truly believe we are being prepared and shown the way of things to come. You are definitely being prepared for this beautiful girl. This is all so heart breaking, thinking of these sweet girls. God bless you and your family.
So incredibly proud of you sweet friend. God is doing something incredible here… and I know its scary, but at the same time its exciting and incredible and intense and just awesome. And we are here for you every step of the way, in any ways that you need us now and in the future when she is here. You guys are amazing parents, and I love watching you both with Malea. I can only imagine how you will change this little girls life, how she will know love and peace and joy and laughter and happiness because of you guys. Thank you Lord for this passion!!! I cannot WAIT to meet her.
Hi Anna (I am a friend of your MIL who shared this link). What an incredible story to share – thanks! Recently Dave Carlsen shared about this subject during on eof our services. He had mentioned a book that I had also heard discussed on a radio show – Just Courage by Gary Haugen which is about bringing these people behind the trafficking to justice. It is neat to see how God is working in all of this. I am excited to see how this all plays out. God is writing a great story in you!
Thank you, that’s awesome! I will have to look into that book. 🙂
What an awesome adventure God has you on!! I will be praying!!!
Anna! I have only been following your blog for a little while now, and all your blogs have been so great! But this one, this is certainly the best one yet! How amazing that God is speaking to you and your husband about adopting a child! God is so, so good! My husband and I are both very passionate about adopting children some day, and we believe it is a beautiful calling from God. We also try to fight against human trafficking, the sex slave industry, and other forms of slavery in any way we can- supporting organziations, buying fair trade products, etc. I am so glad I got to read your blog today! I pray that God will continue to bless you with His guidance and that in His perfect timing His plans will be fully revealed to you! And I pray for Gabriella, that wherever she is right now she would just feel God’s overwhelming love. I pray that God would wrap His arms around her and let her know that there is hope, and that she has a loving family just waiting for her to come home! I pray that God will bless you and your family for being obedient to Him! In Jesus Precious and Holy Name! Amen!
That is beautiful, thank you so much Jacquie!
I am praying for Gabriella and for your family, that you will be united soon!
Oh Anna, the thought of these kids being robbed of their innocence is so sickening and heart-wrenching. But I am glad that God sent angels here on earth in human form — you and your husband — to give one of them hope and a new life. I do hope your Gabriella would find her way to you through God’s Divine Intervention. Thank you so much for sharing your heart out. I need to include these suffering children in my prayers.
I found you through Martha. She shared your link on fb. God must have sent me here to open my eyes and to join you through prayer. God bless you always. <3 🙂
Thank you so much Irene! Martha is so awesome, I love her heart, I’m glad she sent you over here. 🙂
Anna, thank you so much for sharing your passion, your heart, your family’s thoughts, prayers, etc. I could not watch that video, I know, my father was addicted to porn and sexually abused his kids. I freak over this stuff. I see that painting in a whole new way now, and I will join you in prayer to end the trafficing as often as I can remember. My prayers tend to be as God plants thoughts, so that will be. I hope you’ll keep us up to date on your journey. Your Sister in Christ, Janet
Awesome, thank you so much Janet. Your prayers mean so much to us!
Pretty awesome, Anna! I can’t wait to hear what God will do.
Please check out sheissafe.org. We work to rescue and restore trafficked women and girls particularly in Nepal and China.
Thank you Suze! I will definitely check out your website!
Wow, Anna! I was jumping out of my seat, recapping your post to my husband with such excitement that the decibals in my voice raised a few notches. 🙂 I am overjoyed and broken with you to see where God is taking you on this journey. It is crazy, He must be doing something really great because, not only is He lining up people to set your Gabriella free and to bring her home to you, but he is bringing light to this harrowing issue in the hearts of many.
I was actually just drawn to an article on this last night, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/28/portlands-dark-world-of-child-sex-trafficking/?page=all. I had to read a portion of it several times because it said that an estimated 300,000 minors are trafficked annually in the U.S. I was shocked, there is no way that this many children could be enslaved in such a horrific way on American soil!?! How can this be?
As your story continues to unfold, I would love if you would be willing to share it on my blog, http://www.fosterdreams.blogspot.com. God is raising and army against this injustice and my heart burns to see what will happen as more are made aware and our voices join together.
Praying with you,
~Tristen
It’s shocking to hear those statistics. The saddest part is the children behind that number!
Anna, I am awestruck by your post & love the fact you pray every time you see a semi truck. I will be doing the same…and love the imagery of God convicting the drivers about their actions & releasing those children right then! I WILL be praying for these children!
I look forward to hearing more about your journey!
What an amazing journey you are beginning (continuing). Thank you for sharing it w/ those that follow you. I’ll certainly be praying for Gabriella. God would not have put her so strongly in your heart if He didn’t already have a plan.
God has set my husband and me on a similar path as well, so I can relate. We had no idea when we met a little girl being hosted last Dec that we would be now working on adopting her. She’s 13 and will be our only child. I continue to believe that even know I might have given up on being a mom, God never forgot my prayers and desire of my heart. My husband took a little longer to come to the same conclusion, but God did it all……We’re not there yet, but praying by the end of the year…..I’ll be praying for both our little girls!
That is so awesome Angela! Thank you so much for your heart and for your prayers! Praying God brings your little girl home soon.
God tells us that each of us can do all things through Him who gives us strength. He will give you strength to slay the dragons that are holding Gabriella, in body, mind and spirit. Jesus has overcome. The fight, though, has only begun, so remember to put on your armor. Jesus will provide, in fact He already has. Just look at the responses to your request. Count me in for prayers!
Wow Dawn, that’s so powerful! Thank you for your prayers!
My sweet friend, I am just so thankful that you are in my life and that we get the privilege of being on this journey with you! When you shared this with me on the phone the other night, I could hear it in your voice…the anguish over this senseless crime/sin….the confidence in the calling God has placed on yours and Matt’s hearts…the longing for this precious girl who will call you Mommy…and the hopefulness for how her life and (and yours) will be forever changed.
This is the verse that came to my mind tonight:
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3
I eagerly anticipate with you the day that you will witness the “display of His splendor”!!
Lovingly your friend,
Vanessa
Anna —
I’ve always loved your blog, but now, to see your tender heart for something so near to God’s heart…. WOW…what an inspiration and encouragement. Is there a place where a donation could be sent toward your adoption? I am so excited to see where God leads you from here. What God has begun He will be so faithful to complete, and I’m excited to watch the journey!
Blessings,
Krista
Wow, thank you so much for your offer Krista! We are still a ways off from the actual adoption process (probably a couple years) but when we get closer we will definitely be doing a fundraiser. If you would like to make a donation I would suggest that you find an organization that is fighting against sex trafficking and donate to them. That would be so amazing. Thank you so much!! 🙂
Oh my! I remember a week or so how you had written about being brought to tears during church. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. I will start to pray for your family right away. How important that you included the time of waiting…learning before action began. God bless you on each step as you and your husband move forward.
Anna, May God bring you and Matt the daughter of your heart, protecting her until she is placed in your care. I commit to pray daily for your family and for the one He will join to you.
Anna…..I have just recently started following your blog by email after “repinning” one of your tips on Pinterest. Loved what I saw on your blog and joined your email readers. I don’t always get your blog posts read, but chose yours to read first thing this morning! It was a God-thing I know. I have recently joined the ThirtyOne Gifts company as a consultant and my sponsor told me the reason she joined the company was to make money that she could then give to an organization she learned of thru a Joyce Meyer seminar that helps women and girls who have been enslaved in sex trafficking. Frankly, even tho I’m a Christian, I have given very little thought to that horrible crime, but your wonderful story has made a tug at my heart that maybe I’m to join this fight to free these poor girls as well. I am going to forward your email post to my sponsor for her to read and ask her for the details of the organization she’s supporting so that I can begin sending to them as well. There are so many attacks against us women these days and I’m terrified for my own daughter and granddaughters. God bless you & Matt as you continue to wait and pray for your Gabriella! She will be a lucky girl to have such wonderful parents! Please keep us readers posted on the progress and how we can all help in this process. And please, everyone reading……be sure to vote for LIFE in this election as well and for a President who will work toward our freedom and not enslavement by a bigger government! God bless you Anna and thank you for writing from your heart—-you touched mine this morning!!
Wow Anna, just Wow!! I am sitting here crying right along with you!! I will pray that she will be rescued soon! I think God gave your husband a name, so that so many could pray on her behalf! This is most definitely God speaking, and not only will Gabriella be saved, but others will be saved spiritually through hearing your story!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful testament. It is beyond sad and disgusting that such evil exists in our world. God Bless you and your family on your journey.
WOW Anna! You are an amazing woman and thanks for sharing with all of us. I will be praying for all of you.
Wow!!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your story! Will be praying for Gabriella and your family. Hopefully she will be home soon!
Sitting here in tears reading your post. Wow. I, too, will now pray your same prayer every time I see a semi truck! I live right near the I-5 corridor. I warn my daughter & son all the time about this & will definitely tell my friends as well. Thank you for posting!
Thank you for praying and for getting the word out! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing! I love being able to be a part of your story in prayer.
Thanks for sharing your story Anna! The issue of human trafficking is a very real and disturbing one for sure! Our church has taken out a billboard on I-10 to expose the reality of human trafficking in our area. We have an international port here and casinos as well as a major corridor in I-10. We recently had a seminar on human trafficking at our church here in MS. I will pray for your daughter to be and for God to give you supernatural wisdom on how to proceed, and for God to do a complete cleansing and healing of her mind, body and soul. Thank you and your family for answering the call of God on your lives in this area!
Sincerely,
Brandie
That is SO awesome Brandie! It’s exciting to hear of others out their fighting against this awful injustice. Thank you for your encouragement, your prayers and for fighting this battle with us! If you think about it when you drive by that billboard next time will you send me a picture of it, I’d love to see it!
Hi Anna, As the mother of three grown children and three adopted children under 8 years old (China & Ethiopia) I say you and your husband are ready! Go for it! Be proactive and on top of everything – join adoption groups – talk to adopted parents. But, TAKE ACTION – NOW IS THE TIME. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the encouragement Alexandra!
You have my prayers
I check into your blog here and there and today I read your post about “Gabriella” . I totally believe god work things in a strange way, and there is no coincidences, everything will come together and make sense at the end.(or in the middle,lol) I appreciate your post and I am glad you are open to recieve god’s signs.
Thank you so much Rika! 🙂
What a great story and my prayers are with you. Have you ever read Jamie Martin’s Blog http://www.steadymom.com. Her husband works with a foundation called Love146, to end child trafficking. Just thought you might be interested in that if you haven’t already heard of it.
I pray you find your daughter!
I haven’t heard of it! Thank you SO much, I will definitely check it out!
God bless your family and Gabriella. I will pray that she gets to you soon.
M
Thank you for sharing your story and your journey. Reading it brought tears to my eyes. God is amazing and he speaks to us in amazing ways. I am so glad that both you and Matt have such open hearts to listen to God’s calling. Please keep posting about your journey and I will keep praying for Gabriella, the victims of human trafficking and your family.
Thank you so much for your prayers Stephanie. I will definitely continue to post about Gabriella, as our journey unfolds. For now I think it’s going to be a lot of waiting and praying. 🙂
Hello I am visiting via the Nester’s 31 days series. Your series is so inspirational, full of great tips and leaves me with such happiness.
I too am participating in the series. My topic is “Decor To Adore~ finding your style”. I would like to invite you to stop by anytime.
Have a beautiful day and a wonderful fall season.
Anna – what a wonderful post and update on your journey. It really touched my heart. I have been praying for you and I am sending you my good thoughts and prayers. You are doing an amazing thing!!!
xoxoxoxoxo
Thank you Jen! I am so thankful to have you in my life/blog life. 🙂 You’re amazing!
Oh my gosh Anna, what a beautiful story you have shared, and it’s only the beginning of your journey. I live in Southern California and the 5 freeway runs right by my house. I drive it at least once a week, and to read that just really shocked me. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you all the best as you wait with an open heart. Blessings to you!!
Thank you so much Kristin! 🙂
Oh Anna!! I am so glad that I read your story!! Praying with you that the seed planted would continue to grow and grow until God is ready to set your Gabriella free and bring her home to her new forever family!! What a precious story and I look forward to seeing your Gabriella!! His timing and plans are always far greater than we could ever hope, imagine, or request!!! {eph.3:20} ~ Lori
Thank you so much Lori!
What a story of hope and faith! Your journey will be in my prayers, that it will continue, and that god brings your Gabriella, and so many others into his arms and the arms of a family burning with love for them.
We will be awaiting more new and updates to this.
Amanda
Thank you Amanda! We feel so blessed by all those praying for our journey, thank you for being a part of it!
I just got here. Have you found Gabriella? I saw an amazing documentary on sex trafficking in Cambodia and a woman who has a home for girls who were formerly in the industry. Their parents won’t take them back, because they were working in the sex industry. I really don’t get that.
What is it called? I’d love to see it!