Change of plans...

Ok...so I'm not so good with the blog thing. The problem is that I never slow down long enough to tell people what it is that I am so busy doing! Over a month & a half ago I told you I would keep you updated on my friend Laura & about me going with her to Ethiopia to pick up her new baby daughter & now I am way behind. :oP

I had everything lined up to go with Laura to Africa until 9 days before we were due to leave, when I had a little set back. I had really felt like I was supposed to go. I had bought tickets & booked hotels, and had done basically everything in my power to be able to go. Then this one thing changed the whole plan. I was devastated! I called Laura on a Thursday morning & gave her the news. My biggest fear was that she would freak out because it was too late for her to find anyone else to go with her. To my surprise, she handled it very well. We both knew that God's hand had been in all that we had planned, so He must have seen this coming too.

I was driving to the weekly Hillsong Sisterhood morning meeting as I was talking to Laura. Ps. Bobbie had been speaking on 'Be the Change'. This particular morning was about coming alongside our sisters as 'midwives'. How we can't walk through something for someone, but we can be the voice of encouragement to them as they walk through something.

(*note: Jeremy had told me from early this year that I could either go to Africa with Laura or go to the Hillsong Women's conf. in Ukraine in May but I could only choose one.)

So I am sitting in this meeting listening to Ps.Bobbie's message...upset that I am not getting to be there for Laura, when Ps. Bobbie starts talking about how badly our sisters in Ukraine need us to come alongside them right now. She went on about it for a while. Of course, my heart started breaking because I have such a burden for the people of Ukraine anyway. Then I started to think, "Maybe God wanted me to go to Ukraine all along". I was still trying to understand why things didn't work out for me to go to Africa with Laura when Ps.Bobbie made a statement(I don't even know what made her say it) but she said,"Africa needs us as midwives too right now, but sometimes all a sister needs is a little encouragement that she can make it...sometimes just believing in someone makes all the difference in the world." Then peace came over me. I knew that Laura would be fine...that God would give her the grace & strength she needed to go to Africa alone. Laura is surrounded by people who believe in her...I know because I am one of her biggest fans!

So right now as I write, Laura has her new baby girl in her arms. They are on a flight & are only hours away from arriving home after a long journey from Africa. They will be met at the airport by many happy friends & family members anxious to meet this sweet little miracle girl.

I am so glad I just sat back & trusted God. He had another plan for me all along. Apparently He wants me to stay focused on Ukraine. My sisters in Ukraine need encouragement & I am happy to report that the first week of May I will be on my way there. I am believing for a team of girls to go with me. Right now I have 6-8 girls interested. I can't wait to see what God will do there. If you know of any girls who might be interested, please let me know. By the grace of God I will be disciplined enough to write an update to this blog sooner than a month & a half! haha

Please email me at: holly.chapa@gmail.com if you are interested in joining me on the Ukraine trip in May.

Patience...

On Tuesday in my blog I told you that my friends Laura & Sean were waiting to hear the outcome of their adoption court date. I spoke with Laura that afternoon for some disappointing news. :o( For some reason, it had to be rescheduled. They have just received a new court date for March 10th. I know how anxious I am to hold this sweet little girl...I can't even imagine how Laura & Sean must feel having to wait patiently to meet their new daughter. After seeing the video and all of the photos of her, then not knowing when you'll get to see her face to face can not be easy.

I know that God has a plan..."For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11)

He knows what day Laura should board an airplane destined for Africa! He is there with that precious little girl watching over her until she is united with her new family that He hand-picked just for her.

Please pray for peace & patience for Laura & Sean and the rest of the family as they continue to wait for their new court date. I'll le you know when I hear some good news!

Waiting for Africa

I was just looking through my email database and realizing that there are a lot of my friends that I still don’t have addresses for, which means those friends miss out on a lot of information that I send out from time to time. For that reason, I decided to post some highlights from one of my recent emails. Hopefully those interested will find this blog and also my website so see my latest updates, www.hollychapa.com

I have an exciting opportunity coming up in a few weeks. Laura, my best friend since childhood, is adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. If everything goes as scheduled she will be able to fly there to pick her new daughter up mid-February. From the very beginning of the adoption process I told Laura that when she goes to Africa, I want to go as well to be a part of this special moment for her family. It looks like that day is almost finally here! Jeremy has already agreed to stay home & take care of the boys so I can go...as long as God provides the money for my flight. Yeah ladies, he really is that amazing!!!

I feel so honored that I get a front row seat seeing Laura's dream of bringing home her baby girl become a reality. And that is more than enough reason for me to go. :o)


Jeremy and I have been doing all that we can to save toward the $1800-$2000 needed to make the trip. I have sold several copies of my book, so that has helped with some of the cost of the trip. The reality is that now all I need to do is sell about 85 more copies of my book to cover the cost so I'm continuing my January special for $16 of which all the proceeds will go towards my flight to Ethiopia. If you haven't bought a book yet, now is the best time to do so! Not only will you be encouraged in your faith, but you will also be helping me get to Africa to be a support to Laura. So, please pass the word to your family & friends and help me sell some books. Thank You!

Today is the day that we have been waiting for & praying for. Laura & Sean are waiting on the results from the court date in Ethiopia today to find out if they get to bring baby home! Pray that all goes well & that the court hearing goes on as scheduled. It’s only a matter of hours now! Stay tuned for, what we are believing to be, some really good news!


You can also click through to my latest update letter here: http://www.hollychapa.com/news/news.htm

It's about time.

I have to admit that when Jeremy challenged me to start blogging, my first thought was, “But I really don’t have time to blog.” With life as hectic as it is and especially with 3 young boys to take care of where would I find the time? I was praying about it today and asking God, “Why is it that everyday I feel like I’m playing ‘catch-up’ always just a day or two behind schedule…almost on top of things, yet just falling short?” Then I was reminded that ‘My God will meet all of my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.’(Phil. 4:19)

It so simple, yet we make it so complicated. If time is what I need… my God (being the one who invented time) is rich and has more than enough time at His disposal. He already gave me 24 hours in a day so obviously He thinks that is enough to do all that needs to be done. It’s just up to me to spend those hours wisely…to make every minute count!

But here is the best part; there is hope, I don’t have to manage my time alone. God gave me His Holy Spirit to be my counselor (adviser/teacher). Today in my dilemma of time, the Holy Spirit gently showed me that if I find myself always running out of time then it is most likely due to one of (or even both of) the following reasons…#1 Maybe I am adding things to my ‘to-do’ list that are not God things, things that hold no value or things that are a waste of time. Or #2 that awful enemy of mine called ‘lack of self-discipline!’ Ouch, that’s not a fun one to deal with!

Anyway, my goal this week is going to be to stop looking at my ever-growing ‘to-do’ list and to just simply ask God to help me eliminate anything in my life that does not need to be there. And to seek His help in keeping my lazy flesh in check. I know what you’re thinking, “Wow, what a deep revelation…to ask God for help.” haha Well, I have to confess, sometimes I get a little too driven to change the world that I forget who is driving! It’s so much easier when I just let God be in charge. ;o)

My First Blog!

(photo left) Jessica and I with two of the boys from the Joshua House (Ukraine) during the July '08 Summer Camp.

Hi everyone,

this is all very new to me but I'm hoping this will be the first of many and that I will be able to 'blog' as a way to keep you all up-to-date.

I've just added some new photo galleries to my website, www.hollychapa.com and also my latest newsletter which covers off the second half of 2008 - it has been an eventful year for sure!! :o)

2009 is already starting to fill up. In February I have the opportunity to go to Ethiopia with my best friend Laura who has adopted a beautiful baby girl.

To help fund this trip I am trying to sell as many copies of my book as I can. I have reduced the price to $16 for the month of January so if you know of anyone who could be interested, please forward them the details. It is available to buy on my website and can now also be purchased in multiple quantities with reduced shipping rates. This is for anyone who wants to buy a few copies to give some away :o)