Ethiopia or Bust!

In less than a day, we'll be heading to Ethiopia!  I'm super excited and yet have been trying to remain focused on all that has needed to get done to prepare for our trip--shopping, packing, Christmas cards, wrapping presents, trip to the bank, trip to the notary, clean the house, finish laundry, make arrangements for the dog, tie up loose ends and try to remember anything that I'm forgetting.  We have been so blessed by a great support system of people that have volunteered to help us as we prepare.  I'm not sure what we'd do without my parents who are watching the girls all week, our bible study who made us a sweet care package and are helping to take care of the dog while we're gone, Courtney who watched Grace so I could shop peacefully early this week, and everyone who has prayed and offered words of encouragement to us.  What a gift it is to have friends and family!

Later tonight, we'll be on a plane, headed to London, then Paris for a couple of days (a last little hurrah before we become a family of 6!), then on to Ethiopia.  I'm trying not to put too much pressure on the moment that we've been waiting for, but meeting Lincoln will be huge and wonderful even if he cries his eyes out the first time he sees us.  Can't wait to hold that little boy in my arms.

God has been faithful every step of this 18 month journey, and it has been amazing to take this step of faith and watch how he has brought every detail together thus far.  For anyone who has considered adoption but is afraid to make the financial committment, I would say that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and will provide every step of the way if He's calling you to do this.  We've made sacrifices and it hasn't always been easy, but He has moved in power to provide a family for this precious child.  Trust Him and be blessed!

We'll give updates if we can while we're there.  Otherwise, a little ditty will be written upon our return.  Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!!    Bon voyage!!

If You Feel Him Tugging on Your Heart

If you feel God tugging on your heart in the area of adoption, would you look at this list of waiting children through Lifeline Children's Services (our wonderful adoption agency, also used by David Platt and his wife!), and consider Brandon or Bobby?  Both boys are two year olds, with minor special needs who are only allowed to be on this list for a short time.  Very soon they will be removed from the special needs children list and put on a much bigger country-wide list which they could end up stuck on for years before being selected and adopted.

Could one of these precious boys be yours?

The Gospel Demands Radical Giving

I really needed this.  Thank you, David Platt.

Quote of the Month

"When people ask me, "How do you want to be introduced?"  I usually propose they say, 'This is Tim Keller, minister of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.'  Of course, I am many other things, but that is the main thing I spend my time doing in public life.  Realize, then, how significant it is that the Biblical writers introduce God as a 'father to the fatherless, a defender of widows' (Psalms 68:4-5).  This is one of the main things he does in the world.  He identifies with the powerless, he takes up their cause."
                                                                                            --Tim Keller, Generous Grace

Orphan Sunday

Next Sunday, November 6th, thousands of events will echo across America and around the globe, all sharing a single goal: that God’s great love for the fatherless will find echo in our lives as well.  We invite you to share an orphan meal with us, watch a video about caring for orphans and join a live webcast from Kansas City at Jacob's Well Church from 5-7pm.  Childcare is provided.  If you have any questions or to RSVP, contact me or Jamey.

Check out the promo video:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/28012514?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=01AAEA

Hope to see you there!!

The helpless entrusts himself to You; You are a helper of the fatherless.  --Psalm 10:14b

The Moment We've Been Waiting For...

Came.

Last night in the middle of our bible study, we received a call from Kentucky.  Our adoption coordinator said she had a potential referral so I called Jamey into our bedroom.  She said they had a 4 month old boy with a minor special need, a polydactyly, or extra "little finger" on his left hand, and would we be interested in him?  Are you kidding me!  Of course!  No question.  I really didn't care if he had eight extra fingers.

She sent a picture of his hand, and I cried at the first glimpse of my son.  Our son.  It's surreal to say it even now.  She called us back a bit later with a full profile.  He's gorgeous, and I can't stop looking at him.  His Ethiopian name is Tesfa which means hope.  Perfect.  He is that.  Hope.  He gives me hope for all those, still waiting.  I have renewed hope in the One who brought him to us--that He would give my messy, redeemed self a privilege such as this is humbling.

We celebrated with our sweet, sweet, authentic bible study.  They had gone to get wine & cake & ice cream while we were on the phone. 

Then we went to get the girls who were at my parents'.  Siena was sleeping so we sat down privately with Grace and told her that we had a picture of the brother she'd been praying for for over a year now.  Her excitement was priceless.  She slept last night with his picture on her pillow.  She's still talking about how beautiful he is.

It's overwhelming and we are in awe. 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support.  This little boy is a miracle, and just like our girls, he's always been plan A for our family.  Only He could orchestrate this.  Oh, praise Him!

Update

At the end of August, we were told that it would be about 4-6 weeks until paperwork was ready for 20 available children, the final step before they were able to be matched with their forever family.  The 4-6 weeks has recently passed without news, but Jamey made contact with our adoption coordinator and she said that she would be very surprised if we didn't receive a referral before November 1st.  That's less than two weeks away! 

We've recently been feeling like this process is never going to end, but there could be a big boost to our resolve if this news about a referral is true.  Either way, God is awesome and we continue to trust that He will bring our child home in His perfect time--even though things haven't been happening as we thought they would.

On another note, we've begun leading an Orphanology small group at church, and are loving discussing with other believers the importance of caring for orphans and the oppressed.  If you're looking for a book that will challenge you, I recommend this one!

Quote of the Week

"Adoption is not just about couples who want children--or who want more children.  Adoption is about an entire culture within our churches, a culture that sees adoption as part of our Great Commission mandate and as a sign of the gospel itself."

                                                                                              -- Russel D. Moore, Adopted for Life

Steve Jobs Was Adopted

A brilliant modern day man, adopted.  Makes me reflect on the potential of countless orphans entrapped by their circumstances even now.  Read his adoption story here, and ponder with me.

What Can We Do?

There are SO many children in need of a loving home--almost 150 million worldwide.  This problem is complex and sadly most of these won't be adopted, but why aren't more families stepping up and providing loving homes for these little ones?  I think sometimes we tend to overthink things and talk ourselves out of it.   We feel like we have to have it all figured out before we take a leap of faith or that our life needs to be wrapped up perfectly with a nice, shiny bow that doesn't include taking a risk on an orphan who could "ruin" our family.  We think we have to have our act together before we bring another child in to our home.  We say that we'll do it someday, and then we get busy with other things and never take the initiative to pursue it.  We see the cost involved and become overwhelmed.  There's so much that can prevent solid, Christian families from adopting.  Yet, there are SO many children yearning for and in need of a home.  Take a look at this list of "special needs" children in China, and be reminded of a few of them. 

God has these things to say in His word regarding orphans and adoption:

In you the orphan finds mercy.

                          --Hosea 14:3

Never take advantage of any widow or orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure that I will hear their cry.

                         --Exodus 22:22-23

You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

                          --Psalms 10:14,17-18

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

                          --James 1:27

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

                           --Psalms 68:5-6

When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.

                            --Deuteronomy 24:19

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

                            --Isaiah 1:17

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

                            --Proverbs 31:8-9

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.

                           --Matthew 18:5

I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!

                            --Matthew 25:40

The call is clear, and I believe wholeheartedly that when you help orphans, you come close to the heart of God.  I know He doesn't call everyone to adopt, but what else can we do to obey this command to defend the cause of the Fatherless?  Check out this LIST to get some ideas.

Quote of the (er) Week

" North Americans are simply not doing enough.  We are the richest people ever to walk the face of the earth.  Period.  Yet, most of us live as though there is nothing terribly wrong in the world.  We attend our kids' soccer games, pursue our careers, and take beach vacations while 40 percent of the world's inhabitants struggle just to eat every day.  And in our own backyards, the homeless, those residing in ghettos, and a wave of immigrants live in a world outside the economic and social mainstream of North America.  We do not necessarily need to feel guilty about our wealth.  But we do need to get up every morning with a deep sense that something is terribly wrong with the world and yearn and strive to do something about it.  There is simply not enough yearning and striving going on."

--Brian Fikkert from his book, When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself

Transitions & Reason's to Smile

 

I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks because we've needed time to transition with all the changes that a new school year brings.  Two in particular have been major. 

Numero uno is homeschooling.  There were several moments, the first week in particular that I wondered what we were thinking when we decided to homeschool--I even had thoughts of re-registering Grace for pre-school a couple of days late.  After months and months of research and prayer, I had felt pretty certain that this is where God had been leading us, but was really wondering if I had missed something.  Now that we're getting in to a bit of a rhythm with it, and the onslaught of Facebook status updates proclaiming how wonderful it is to send your children off to preschool have subsided (no offense if you yourself were a culprit--I know that no harm was meant!:), I'm so glad that we made this choice.  I know that it's not the right choice for every family in every season, but this year (or semester--who knows!) it is the right choice for us, and God has been so gracious to show and remind me how much our family is being blessed by it.

A couple of days before we began homeschooling, Grace went to the chalkboard and wrote her name on her own.  She had never done this before, and it was so cool to be reminded of how eager she is to learn.

Next major transition is that Jamey was offered a job with the company he worked for this summer only a few days before he was supposed to go back to school!  We had been wondering for the past several months how we were going to live paycheck to paycheck this next year after almost emptying our savings accounts to pay for the adoption, receiving a substantial paycut due to our state's new budget repair bill, Jamey stepping away from his position as a football coach because we thought we'd be going to get Lincoln this Fall, and adding another mouth to feed.  God totally showed up, and I get goose bumps thinking about how faithful He has been to provide for us as we've stepped out in faith to follow His call to adopt.  It has been bittersweet for both of us for Jamey to step away from his teaching career, and all the students and fellow staff members that he grew to love, but we are very confident that this is where God wants him for now.

Grace, Jamey and Siena on Grace's first day of Pre-K homeschooling and Jamey's first official day with his new position.

 

 

The big transitions have kept our minds focused on other things as we are growing weary with the wait.  We were having dinner with my parents last night and they showed us this hoot of a youtube video of an old couple trying to figure out how to use their webcam, not realizing that they're being recorded. Delightfully cute and HEE-lar-ious!  God is so good to continue to sustain us and give us so many reasons to laugh as we count down the days until we see our sweet Lincoln's face.  May it be refreshing to your soul as well.  Enjoy!

 Do not become weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 
                                                                                                           --Galatians 6:9

Update

We got a phone call from our adoption coordinator early last week.  She said that they currently have 20 children available for adoption that are almost paperwork ready.  Chances are that we'll be matched in at least 4-6 weeks once their paperwork is processed.  We are probably still 11th on the waiting list-- so unless everyone ahead of us adopts a sibling group, then we'll lay eyes on our beloved boy fairly soon.  The waiting is hard, but will all be worth it for that precious, holy moment!

This is what we'll feel like when we get the call we've been waiting for.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.  --Proverbs 3:5-6

Quote of the Week

I love the recklessness of faith.  First you jump, and then you grow wings.

                                                                                                                   --Author Unknown

Lifesong Grant

We have been floored by God's provision for us throughout this adoption process.  Recently, we were given a $2500 matching grant by Lifesong for Orphans, an organization that exists to "bring joy and purpose to orphans".  They received the grant through a donation by another organization called Run for Orphans which is co-founded by two guys who run across the country in hopes of earning $100,000 to help assist 20 families to adopt a child. 

What an honor to be one of those 20 families. We are so grateful for ministries like these that make adopting children attainable for families like ours! 

Watch this video made by Lifesong for Orphans that reflects the heart behind their ministry.

One Less

Is God calling your family to make a way for one less?

Will you begin to pray about your role in caring for the fatherless?

Will you and your spouse prayerfully consider adopting a child?

Quote of the Week

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing of the finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

 and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail."

                       --Isaiah 58:9-11

Trading the American Dream

Recently, my husband and I listened to a Focus on the Family broadcast where David Platt, author of Radical, was interviewed. His is one more voice calling Christians to evaluate their Western lifestyle to see if pursuing the American dream is really in line with how God has called us to live. It's worth a listen.

We also viewed a short video this week at church about what it means to be a "Trader":someone who trades in the pursuit of the American dream for a world that desperately needs Christ.  This has been one theme that God won't leave us alone about!  What are you willing to trade?

Side note: You don't need to purchase the video in order to view it--click on it, and it will play for you.

"God, do a work in me that is utterly disproportionate to who I am." 
                                                                                                  --David Platt

Beautiful

God is still good.  Even though there are over 147 million orphans worldwide.  Even though millions of girls are being trafficked around the world.  Even though 30,000 children have starved to death in the past 90 days in the Horn of Africa.  I know this, but was reminded to the point of shedding tears after reading this beautifully written blog post by Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are:   http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/08/the-problem-of-evil-what-of-the-problem-of-good/

Lord, help me to share.  Break my heart by the things that break Yours.  Continue to teach me how to love others deeply from the heart.  Amen. 

Quote of the Week

"To show compassion for an individual without showing concern for the structures of society that make him an object of compassion is to be sentimental rather than loving."
                                                                                               -- William Sloane Coffin Jr.

Update

Waiting is the foundation of the spiritual life.

Many of our friends and family have been asking us lately if we've heard anything.  The answer is, yes we have!  We found out on Wednesday that we are number

on the watiting list.

To be honest, we were a bit disappointed because we were 14th a month and a half ago and I was hoping we would at least be like 5th or 3rd or some other single digit number.  On a positive note, we are thrilled that we are 11 spots away from laying our eyes on our precious boy for the first time!  We will continue to trust that God's timing is perfect, and that the moment we've been waiting for will come at just the right time.

As we wait, we continue to pray and prepare and enjoy our little girlie loves.  One of which we'd like to have potty trained before L comes home.  Needless to say, we have plenty to keep us busy as we wait.

We got another call this week from the school that we wanted Grace to attend.  They were calling to let us know that she got in!  Our awesome, sovereign, humorous Lord, however, has been working in my heart since February, and we feel that He's leading us to homeschool.  Today I made the call to give up our spot at said school ("We're really doing it, Harry!"), and I am refreshingly, delightfully excited.  I found a curriculum that I love, and I'm looking forward to returning to my career as a teacher--this time with a classroom of one! 

My classroom of one.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.     -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Quote of the Week

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for good men to do nothing."

                                                                                            --Edmund Burke

Guest Blog from my Hubs: Hunger Pains

     The summer is a great reading time.   As a teacher, the normal school year (fall to spring) does not allow me to read as much as I would like to. Summer, however, is a great time to create a reading list and go at it. I would not say that I am a fiction reader. At times I have enjoyed fiction, but usually I lean toward non-fiction.  A quality fiction book for me is like a really good dessert that I don't have very often, where non-fiction for me is like a hamburger and fries type of meal--one that you get full off of and eat much more often!

    


Now that I have gotten you hungry, let’s get into the meat of my reading list. The first book that I want to feature was one that I was surprised by.  It's called Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.  Her claim to fame is her other book Seabiscuit (another great read and movie). Due to my love of Seabiscuit, I decided to try her sophomore read. What can I say but gripping and intense.  The story is a biography about a man, Louie, who was on track (literally and figuratively) to be one of the best mile runners of all time and break the 4 minute mile, he came in 7^th in the 2 mile at one Olympics and was preparing for another when World War II broke out. After becoming a bombardier in the Pacific theater, his plan was shot down, he lasted for 47 days in a life raft with two other survivors. Then when they were rescued they were rescued by the Japanese who put them in POW camps where he stayed for three years. After WWII, studies showed that in Germany POW camps about 1% of the prisoners died, in Japan the percentage was 37%. Louie was tortured, starved, and degraded for three years while in the POW camp, especially by one man, the head of discipline in the camp, known as “The Bird”.

The other book that has caught my attention came from a talk on Focus on the Family, {http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={EA92E46B-D63A-4CDC-9341-28971B9D4A04} it is an autobiography of George Mueller.

A preacher in Bristol, England in the late 1800’s, the book is aptly titled, The Autobiography of George Mueller. This read is actually a collection of his journal entries as he lived out his life of faith and prayer. After doing some research on him, I have found that at one time he said that through his journaling he had seen God answer over 50,000 of his prayer requests in his lifetime. That makes me realize he had to pray over 50,000 times! The thing that I was interested in George was that through his ministry he felt called to create orphan houses. He started out with one female orphan house, and then added an infant orphan house, then a boy’s orphan house. As he grew his ministry, he did it without ever telling anyone of his financial need, he only relied on God for his provision. As his ministry grew, so did his faith for God to provide. He built an orphan house to spread the gospel for 300 children, then another for 700 children. So at one time, he was able to house over 1000 orphans in England and care for their needs through the grace of God.

     The fact that brings these two books together is that both of them deal with hunger pains. For Louie, it was true starvation, to a point that he was a grown man who weighed 93 pounds in the POW camp. That after the war, he had such depression, anxiety, and fear that his only thought was that he needed to go back to Japan and kill his captor to get the pain out of his life. For George, the hunger was different; it was to show the church and non-believer that only God can truly provide for all of our needs. His hunger was to be “a friend to the orphan.” The outcome I have found is the same in both stories.  Without ruining the ending, I'll say that for Louie, it was at a Billy Graham revival that he found the only thing that could take away the pain and fill him up. To a point that on the night he accepted Christ as his Savior, the nightmares of war left and never came back for the rest of his life. For George, it was the constant answer to prayer that God would sustain his needs. At no point was he or his organization ever worldly rich, but they never went hungry, because the great provider provided.

     So what are my hunger pains? I think it has been unbelief that we will every actually get Lincoln home, that when I pray for big things I don’t believe they will be heard, that the world’s answers are bigger and more powerful than God, and that I don’t think I am capable at times and forget that God knows I am not capable so he will be there to make me capable. These two books remind me that these types of hunger pains can be easily taken care of.  I have had the blessing of rediscovering that through these books.

Quote of the Week

How can their be too many children?  It's like saying there are too many flowers.

                                                                                                         -- Mother Teresa

Be blessed by this amazing blog...

Since beginning our adoption process in the Summer of 2010, I've really become thrust in to the world of blogging.  It has been such a blessing to read about people who share the same passion and pour out their lives to care for orphans.  One of my favorite blogs that has touched my heart and brought me to tears is this one:

http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

Katie, a girl in her twenties, moved to Uganda and has been living there the past four years caring for 13 little girls, her "daughters", several of whom she's adopted.  She began a ministry called Amazima and she spends her days living in Uganda pouring out her life caring for people in the community, helping women make a living creating necklaces, and caring for her family of daughters.  I was so touched reading one of her recent posts "Around Here We Live Bent Low".

Check out this amazing blog and be blessed by it!

Is the American Dream Keeping Us From Adopting?

This video was created by an adoption ministry called The Zoe Foundation.  They are working hard to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion by helping families fund the cost of adoption, educating the church about the redemptive power of adoption, and providing quality care for birthmothers who decide to place their child for adoption.  The following is a short video they made which provides some food for thought:

I don't believe that everyone is called to adopt.  However, I do wonder with over 147 million orphans in the world, if there are people who are called that are NOT considering adoption because of their pursuit of the American dream. 

We felt a clear call to adopt, are doing it, and I still wrestle with the fundamental question of how much is enough.  I, like everyone else, want my stuff and my comfort.  I cannot, however, deny that God has rescued me, not so that I can spend my life focusing on my own spiritual development, doing a couple of good deeds here and there or chasing after the world's definition of success.  He has rescued me for something more--something greater.  President and CEO of International Justice Mission, Gary Haugen, said in his book, Just Courage,  "God calls us to make the transition from being those who have been rescued from the world, to those through whom God is literally rescuing the world."  He went on to say:

"Indeed, many Western Christians simply have no idea what an utter, desperate disaster is taking place twenty-four hours a day around our world.  They have no vivid picture of what life is like for hundreds of millions of people in our world who live in crushing, spiritual darkness, humiliation and despair.  They just don't realize that there are millions of people crying out every day to be rescued from aching, urgent hunger; from degrading and hopeless poverty; from the ravages of painful disease; from torture, slavery, rape and abuse.  The vast abundance and isolation on the Disneyland island of the world's affluent communities means that many Western Christians miss God's great calling to a life of heroic rescue simply because they are largely oblivious to the need.  They just can't imagine that there could really be any great heroic struggle that would need their help."

There is a great heroic struggle that needs our help, and may we all be better for considering whether or not the American dream or our own indifference is keeping us from it.

 "And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  --Micah 6:8

May God Bless You

Fransiscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort

at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships

so that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with anger

at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people

so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace

May God bless you with tears

to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war

so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and

to turn their pain into joy

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

to believe that you can make a difference in the world

so that you can do what others claim cannot be done

to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

 

While We Wait: Nesting (and other Pregnancy Parallels)

I'm nesting.  Big time.  In fact, I feel like this summer is a time to really get my act together so that I'm completely prepared for what's ahead.  If that's even possible.  I've been reading this great book about making a family mission statement, clearing the clutter out of your home, and spending your time and money better.  "Living holistically with your life's purpose", as the author calls it. 

Sounds nice, doesn't it?  This book has brought up a lot of great conversation between my husband and I.  We've asked ourselves things like: what is our purpose as a family? what would people say about our family as a whole? what would we like them to say in 30 years? when are we at our worst?  when are we at our best? what we could do better? and what is the main purpose of our home? 

It's been good and hard to reflect on these things.  Good because it gets me focused and excited for what's ahead, and hard because I have to admit my downfalls and be reminded that I'm not exactly where I want to be.  I praise God for His patience with me!

I'm hoping that this mission statement does what it's supposed to do and helps us to better stay focused in a world filled with distractions.

I've also ordered one of my favorite child-rearing books and am determined to become more pro-active in my parenting.  Of course, as usual, I'll read as much of it as I can to my husband. :)

Also, I'm eagerly, joyously awaiting a phone call from our adoption agency to let us know that they have our referral.  We could get the call any day now, or it could be another couple of months.  I find myself sometimes running to the phone when it rings during the day.  The last month of my pregnancy with each of our girls was kind of like this--wondering daily if it would be the day that something would happen.  How my heart longs to lay eyes on our little one!

However, this time around, I'm praising God that I don't have morning sickness or swollen ankles.

147 Million Orphans Fundraising Gear

We have partnered with 147 Million Orphans to sell fundraising gear that has 3 great purposes: 

1) To bring awareness to the fact that there are approximately 147 million orphans worldwide.

By wearing the gear, people are reminded of the fact that there are over 147 million orphaned children in the world today.

2) To provide food, water and medicine to children in need.

The profits that the 147 Million Orphans organization receives are used to provide for the basic needs of orphaned children.

3) To help our adoption fund. 

147 million orphans allows adoptive families to buy their gear for part of the cost and sell it at their retail value in order to make money to put toward their adoption.

Check out the gear and let us know if you'd like to purchase one of these great items:

                                                                                   

               Women's Cream/Black Baseball Tee $34.95

Women's Black/Cream Baseball Tee $34.95

Men's Brown T-Shirt $19.95

Kid's Mint Green T-Shirt $19.95

Silicone Cuff $9.95

Magazine Bead Necklace $19.95 (Handmade by women in Uganda)

We have limited quantities available of each item pictured.  We are also able to order more merchandise if anyone is interested.  Also, if there is an item pictured on the 147 Million Orphans website that you like but don't see here, let me know and I can see if it is available for adoptive families to purchase for fundraising.  Please let me know if you are interested in any of these items by leaving a comment, emailing or calling me. 

We still have between $10,000-$15,000 to raise, and every penny helps us get closer to reaching our goal!  Thank you so much for taking the time to look and consider!!

Happy Father's Day!

Today I honor the man that I love. 

What would we do without this hard working, deep thinking, God fearing, love giving, knee bending, sensitive soul that makes us laugh, comforts us when we're down, provides for our needs, and leads us in love as we seek more of Him?

Daily, I watch the children I dreamed of having since I was a young girl be loved by the man that I dreamed of having since I was a young girl. 

There's too much that I take for granted.  I am blessed.

  Happy Father's Day to our hero!  We love you SO much!!!

Book Recommendation

                                                            

I recently read Unplanned by Abby Johnson, a former pro-choice employee of Planned Parenthood turned pro-life member of Coalition for Life.  I highly recommend this book! 

The official Unplanned website says this about the book:
Unplanned is a heart-stopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a courtroom battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this complex issue. Telling Abby’s story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, this book is a must-read…

There is also a documentary out on DVD about Abby's story.  View the trailer:

How Did I Not Know About this Family?!

Ever since the first day I created my blog last November, I have had that quote by Derek Loux written at the top.  My dear friend, Shannon, read it to me sometime last year and I knew that if I were to create a blog, I'd want to put it somewhere on it, so she emailed it to me.  Fast forward several months later to this week.  My husband, Jamey, randomly (or not so randomly) decided to google Derek Loux's name and he ended up stumbling across his family's blog.  I just found out that Derek Loux himself has over 10 children, most of whom are adopted, with his wife, Renee, and that he passed away last year in a car accident at the age of 37.  On his gravestone were these words:

I was overwhelmed reading this family's blog, because I know that the only way that Renee is able to raise 12 children, many with special needs, without her husband, is by the incredible power of the Holy Spirit at work within her.  This is radical, Christlike living.  I am once again blown away by how Christ "sets the lonely in families", and am encouraged yet again to fall on my knees before this Awesome God and beg Him to do in my life what there's no way that I can do in my own strength to defend orphans and be like His Son.  One day, I would like for these same words to appear on my gravestone:

Beloved Wife, Mother, Daughter and Sister

Defender of Orphans

Champion of Justice

She ran hard and finished well

11 Timothy 4:7

I know God wants to use each of you to "Defend the Fatherless..." (Isaiah 1:17), and I'm committed to praying that He would move in your hearts and reveal to you how He wants this to look in your life.

As one adoptive mother said at the Summit a couple of weeks ago, "If God's definition of pure religion  is to look after orphans and widows (see James 1:27), then we have some work to do."

Update

Last Friday, we went to St. Paul for our USCIS (US Immigration Services) appointment where we were fingerprinted.  This basically allows for Lincoln to become a US citizen even though he's foreign born.  Also, now that this is done, we'll be able to accept a referral once one comes in for us.  We sent our Dossier (paperwork packet) to Ethiopia about 2 months ago, so we're hoping there's only two months or less to wait for our much anticipated referral.  How glorious it will be to finally lay eyes on our little guy!!

In the meantime, we continue to pray, wait, fundraise, and soak up our last few months as a family of four.