Yes, that is my sweet baby Emily speaking in Dallas at the Summit. Wish I could've gone....I'm going next year and am so excited that I will have a chance to share from my heart. In the mean time I hear that this sweet Orphan advocate does an excellent job! I love that girl....isn't she still supposed to be 2 years old? Emily Elizabeth Richards, you're my hero!
Dear Mary Beth,
Congratulations to Emily for doing such a fine job. She is a fine, young woman who has a heart of gold.
Emily is a reflection of her parents!
June Vendetti,
Bridgeport, Ct.
Posted by: June Vendetti | May 09, 2009 at 10:01 PM
The Summit was incredible! I look forward to seeing you next year!
Posted by: Marci | May 06, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I too was able to attend the summit. I heard Emily speak last year and this year and must say I have seen her passion grow for the plight of the orphan. I was very touched about what God has shown her this last year and how that has motivated her even more as she seeks to care for orphans! I am excited you will have a chance to participate in the summit next year, you'll love it! Suzanne Holyde
Posted by: Suzanne | May 03, 2009 at 07:27 PM
I was at Emily's session on Thursday and you have EVERY reason to be proud! The Lord spoke through her in powerful ways!!
(And just so you know, that room was the largest breakout room and it was FULL - not the case with most of the other sessions!)
Posted by: Kristy | May 02, 2009 at 08:53 PM
LOL - 2 years old? An old interview of Stevens said Emily was 10 going on 20 and for Christmas had asked for a missions trip. I'm assuming that's the one that inspired her to star praying for her parents to adopt form China? Even then, she had a heart for the orphans.
You've raised a wonderful daughter - so encouraging to see young people advocating for others.
Dana
Posted by: Dana | May 02, 2009 at 07:54 PM
A wonderful daughter and a very proud Mom
you should be for raising such an amazing
woman.
God Bless All of You!
Posted by: Tori | May 02, 2009 at 10:22 AM
God got ahold of Emily some years ago, What a blessing to see her continue to grow and share her heart and her faith with all of us.
Posted by: Pat McMahon | May 02, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Mary Beth, I can't believe I did not find this place sooner! I just wish I did, because now I'm going to have A LOT of reading to do! :) I have been praying for all of you every night, but especially your Mama's heart, Mary Beth. I know how empty it can feel all too well. My husband and son were killed coming home from a youth retreat for our church last summer. A semi-truck driver fell asleep at his wheel, and he hit our car without braking. Tim was only 51. T.J. was 16. You have been such a blessing to me, Mary Beth, especially in the last 10 months. Your words have helped me find my own way through this grief. Anyways, what I wanted to say that somehow got pushed to the end of this message is that our oldest son purposed to his girlfriend of four years the week before his father and brother died. They were going to call off the engagement after the accident, but I said no. I know that's not what my husband and son would have wanted. For Christmas, my son and his fiance surprised me by giving me the news that they were going to marry on Mother's Day. He's doing it for a lot of the same reasons that I'm sure your son is, and I couldn't be happier than to know that both of our sons are giving their Mamas quite a gift! :) It's a beautiful reminder of how much Jesus loved us and that there will be another wedding one day with Him! It's really sad to think that my husband and son aren't here in the house, but I know they are with Him and your beautiful Maria Sue! :) On the 10th, as my tears flow down, I will take time to stop and pray for your Mama tears that will be falling on that day too. May He hold you deeply in His embrace! I pray for you every night, for your family, and for Shaohannah's Hope. I don't know if you will actually read this, but I just wanted to say thank you for helping me through this pain, even if you never knew.
Karen W.
Simsbury, CT
Posted by: Karen W. | May 01, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Bless her heart and her ministry. You so deserve to be a proud Mama!
Posted by: Debbie from Ohio | May 01, 2009 at 05:15 PM
Go Emily!!!!
I have had the JOY of following a few twitters and some live blogging going on from the Summit V!! Amazing words being spoken.
Thanks for sharing this pic, Mary Beth.
I L O V E SEEing the room filled up with so many people who are uniting on behalf of the orphan.
Posted by: diane | May 01, 2009 at 02:56 PM
You have much to be proud of. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, you know????
Posted by: Lori Powers | May 01, 2009 at 02:56 PM
An amazing woman indeed!
Posted by: Pam | May 01, 2009 at 02:34 PM
I was so hoping to attend this year for the first time. I was unable to but I have been praying for all of the speaker and activities involving orphan care.
Blessings to You today~Misty Peterson
Posted by: Misty Peterson | May 01, 2009 at 12:49 PM