Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Bracelets
We have bracelets! I have been blessed with friends who have helped me and now you have choices! They are $25 and all the money will be going toward our adoption fees. Your support is very much appreciated! We will have more to choose from so if you don't see anything here that suits stay tuned.
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Fundraising
We have started our first official fundraiser. I saw this idea online and even though my sewing skills are limited I thought that I might be able to make this happen. I purchased fabric and found some D rings and voila! We now have bracelets! Well a few anyway.
I made the first one and put in on my wrist and suddenly felt the doubt rush in. Asking for help, well, it is not something I do easily. We are asking for money. Should I wonder at my uneasiness? It washed over me in a pretty intense fashion. I know quite a few people who make things and sell them for a living so why is this different?
I am not sure if you realize this but we have embarked on a pretty incredible journey here folks. We are adopting a little person. This my friends, is one of those life changing events in life that mark you, indelibly. This is my heart on my sleeve for the whole world to see. I have intense emotions that course through my body at the slightest provocation. It really is no wonder the doubt rushed in and tried to take over. The truth is we are doing this and I need help. I need you. Your support. Your encouragement. I need to know that you understand, on any level, why we are doing what we are doing. I need to know it is alright to cry for a little one I don't know. When I feel frustrated I need for someone to tell me they get it. I need you to ask me how the adoption is going...even if all I am going to say is that nothing has changed. Will you invest in the life of an orphan? When you do any of these things that is precisely what you are doing. You don't have to buy a bracelet, but maybe you would like to.
So, there it is then. The difference. I am not just asking for you to buy a bracelet to support our adoption journey. I am asking you to invest in the life of an orphan. I am putting it all out there, a very emotional and rather private journey and asking you to join me. I am thankful to be surrounded by such loving and generous people who have done just that.
In you the orphan finds mercy Hosea 14:3.
I made the first one and put in on my wrist and suddenly felt the doubt rush in. Asking for help, well, it is not something I do easily. We are asking for money. Should I wonder at my uneasiness? It washed over me in a pretty intense fashion. I know quite a few people who make things and sell them for a living so why is this different?
I am not sure if you realize this but we have embarked on a pretty incredible journey here folks. We are adopting a little person. This my friends, is one of those life changing events in life that mark you, indelibly. This is my heart on my sleeve for the whole world to see. I have intense emotions that course through my body at the slightest provocation. It really is no wonder the doubt rushed in and tried to take over. The truth is we are doing this and I need help. I need you. Your support. Your encouragement. I need to know that you understand, on any level, why we are doing what we are doing. I need to know it is alright to cry for a little one I don't know. When I feel frustrated I need for someone to tell me they get it. I need you to ask me how the adoption is going...even if all I am going to say is that nothing has changed. Will you invest in the life of an orphan? When you do any of these things that is precisely what you are doing. You don't have to buy a bracelet, but maybe you would like to.
So, there it is then. The difference. I am not just asking for you to buy a bracelet to support our adoption journey. I am asking you to invest in the life of an orphan. I am putting it all out there, a very emotional and rather private journey and asking you to join me. I am thankful to be surrounded by such loving and generous people who have done just that.
In you the orphan finds mercy Hosea 14:3.
Friday, June 8, 2012
She was so beautiful he stopped in his tracks....
The other night as I read a bedtime story to Kylee and Jude my little boy said one of the sweetest things...
In the story there is a frog and a princess. I am sure you know the story line. At one point the prince sees his princess. Completely overcome with her beauty he stops in his tracks and revels in the site of her. Jude asked me what this meant so I explained a little further to which he replied, "I know Mama. It is like when we see baby girl, right? She will be so beautiful we will just stop in our tracks because she is so beautiful and we are so happy to see her and have her here."
Exactly.
I am so thankful for this journey that we are on. I am completely overwhelmed by the depth of love that my little ones have for others. I am so blessed and encouraged by these little glimpses of their hearts.
The wait is getting long for my little people. You remember the days when 1 hour felt like FOREVER. Feeling like summer vacation was never going to arrive... it could be a week away but it felt like months. I suppose it will be harder when we are actually matched and have a count down until she comes home.
We are longing for the day that we stop in our tracks and revel in her beauty.
In the story there is a frog and a princess. I am sure you know the story line. At one point the prince sees his princess. Completely overcome with her beauty he stops in his tracks and revels in the site of her. Jude asked me what this meant so I explained a little further to which he replied, "I know Mama. It is like when we see baby girl, right? She will be so beautiful we will just stop in our tracks because she is so beautiful and we are so happy to see her and have her here."
Exactly.
I am so thankful for this journey that we are on. I am completely overwhelmed by the depth of love that my little ones have for others. I am so blessed and encouraged by these little glimpses of their hearts.
The wait is getting long for my little people. You remember the days when 1 hour felt like FOREVER. Feeling like summer vacation was never going to arrive... it could be a week away but it felt like months. I suppose it will be harder when we are actually matched and have a count down until she comes home.
We are longing for the day that we stop in our tracks and revel in her beauty.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Land of Impending Referral
This a strange place to be...the land of impending referral.
She is not far from my mind. I cannot tell you the number of times I think of her in a day. Nor can I explain the love that is growing in my heart for this child I have yet to lay my eyes on. The heartache that is etched into my very being with the thought of all that will bring her to the place where it is our family that she needs. The loss. The unimaginable loss.
I wonder what her name will be. What will she look like? How old is she right now? Will we be able to give her all she needs? How will she feel about her new home? How long will it take before she feels safe and secure?
How long will we wait?
While we wait for a referral we educate ourselves. We read books. We take webinars. We meet people who have done this. We talk to families that are doing this. We pray.
What will it feel like when we get the call? Where will we be? What will we be doing? I liken these feelings to the ambivalence I felt in waiting for labor to begin with each of my three children. The excitement. The longing to know their story, to know how it would all play out. To hold them and kiss them. One very dear to me found a shirt that she said was made for me. It read: "WARNING: I am in love with a child I haven't met yet. I am in the process of adoption. I am subject to cry at any moment. Please bear with me until my referral comes." Apparently I am not the only one.
She is not far from my mind. I cannot tell you the number of times I think of her in a day. Nor can I explain the love that is growing in my heart for this child I have yet to lay my eyes on. The heartache that is etched into my very being with the thought of all that will bring her to the place where it is our family that she needs. The loss. The unimaginable loss.
I wonder what her name will be. What will she look like? How old is she right now? Will we be able to give her all she needs? How will she feel about her new home? How long will it take before she feels safe and secure?
How long will we wait?
While we wait for a referral we educate ourselves. We read books. We take webinars. We meet people who have done this. We talk to families that are doing this. We pray.
What will it feel like when we get the call? Where will we be? What will we be doing? I liken these feelings to the ambivalence I felt in waiting for labor to begin with each of my three children. The excitement. The longing to know their story, to know how it would all play out. To hold them and kiss them. One very dear to me found a shirt that she said was made for me. It read: "WARNING: I am in love with a child I haven't met yet. I am in the process of adoption. I am subject to cry at any moment. Please bear with me until my referral comes." Apparently I am not the only one.
Life is busy and wonderful and our days are full. As much as we want to bring her home we want to live in the here and now. We want to soak up these days for all they are worth. This is precious time.
We know the day is coming...it could be next month or next year. So we will keep dreaming, preparing, planning, praying with lots of crying mixed in I am sure.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Waiting
Waiting is tough.
We know a family that is in Addis Abba, Ethiopia right now. They are adopting 3 children and we just got word that they passed court. I am SO excited for this family.
When I saw their facebook post saying they were in Washington D.C. waiting for their flight for this trip, an intense feeling of longing gripped my heart. As they shared their anticipation and anxiousness for all that was just before them I was overwhelmed by feelings that knocked me to my knees, in prayer. Prayer for them as they were preparing to meet their children face to face. Prayer for their appeal to the court to allow them to become the parents of three precious children. As tears streamed down my face and my heart full to bursting I also asked the Lord to hasten the day that it will be Kyle and I meeting ours.
The anguish I feel is growing a passion in my life. A passion for orphaned children. I would love to fast forward through this season of waiting and longing and yet the bible tells me to, "consider it our joy whenever you face trials" It goes on to say, "The testing of (my) faith will develop perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that (I) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. There are a great many things I am lacking so I am sure Perseverance has its work cut out but rather than loathe this time I am choosing Joy. Thankful that I am being stretched. Thankful that our eyes are being opened to the needs of others. Thankful for the anguish that I feel because, friends, this anguish is proof that I am being transformed. And believe me. I. need. to. be. transformed.
One day we will be posting an update letting you all know that WE are on our way.
Until then, I will continue to pray for ours and those that need a family. For protection. For provision. I hope you will too.
We know a family that is in Addis Abba, Ethiopia right now. They are adopting 3 children and we just got word that they passed court. I am SO excited for this family.
When I saw their facebook post saying they were in Washington D.C. waiting for their flight for this trip, an intense feeling of longing gripped my heart. As they shared their anticipation and anxiousness for all that was just before them I was overwhelmed by feelings that knocked me to my knees, in prayer. Prayer for them as they were preparing to meet their children face to face. Prayer for their appeal to the court to allow them to become the parents of three precious children. As tears streamed down my face and my heart full to bursting I also asked the Lord to hasten the day that it will be Kyle and I meeting ours.
The anguish I feel is growing a passion in my life. A passion for orphaned children. I would love to fast forward through this season of waiting and longing and yet the bible tells me to, "consider it our joy whenever you face trials" It goes on to say, "The testing of (my) faith will develop perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that (I) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. There are a great many things I am lacking so I am sure Perseverance has its work cut out but rather than loathe this time I am choosing Joy. Thankful that I am being stretched. Thankful that our eyes are being opened to the needs of others. Thankful for the anguish that I feel because, friends, this anguish is proof that I am being transformed. And believe me. I. need. to. be. transformed.
One day we will be posting an update letting you all know that WE are on our way.
Until then, I will continue to pray for ours and those that need a family. For protection. For provision. I hope you will too.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A little more on why Ethiopia?
We have been asked why? "Why Ethiopia?" "Why adopt?" "Why wouldn't you adopt from the U.S.?"
Why Adopt?
There are approximately 147 million orphans in the world. Which gives us 147 million reasons to want to adopt. We love children. We love being parents. When we think about children who are unloved, neglected, or suffering our hearts hurt. We want to help. In you the orphan finds mercy. Hosea 14:3 We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Why not adopt a child from the United States?
I don't have a concise answer for why we felt lead to adopting a child in Ethiopia. What I do know is this: We know that there are children in need of families right here. On the next street over. There are children in need all around us. Our hearts hurt just as much for the children right here as for the children in other countries. A child in need is a child in need no matter where they are on the map. It isn't about doing something bigger, better, harder or more noble. It is about a child. A child who needs a family. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17 This is us learning to do good. We will cheer you on in your endeavor to learn to good as we hope you will for us.
Why Ethiopia?
It is a beautiful country. We love learning about the rich culture and people of Ethiopia. The food is full of unique flavors and spices. We love to travel and we are excited to experience as much of African culture as we can. On a very personal note we have been incredibly blessed by the addition of our niece, Miss M. who is from Ethiopia. Our hope is that a connection to their homeland between Miss M. and our daughter will be something that each of them will cherish. There are approximately 5 million orphans in Ethiopia. Our daughter is one of them. I do not know where she is, what she looks like or from the circumstances she will come but I know that I love her with all my heart. I know that I don't want her to hurt or suffer or to be hungry or scared. And I know that God places the lonely in families. Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families. Psalms 68:5-6 So we are ready and waiting for a precious one from Ethiopia.
Why Adopt?
There are approximately 147 million orphans in the world. Which gives us 147 million reasons to want to adopt. We love children. We love being parents. When we think about children who are unloved, neglected, or suffering our hearts hurt. We want to help. In you the orphan finds mercy. Hosea 14:3 We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Why not adopt a child from the United States?
I don't have a concise answer for why we felt lead to adopting a child in Ethiopia. What I do know is this: We know that there are children in need of families right here. On the next street over. There are children in need all around us. Our hearts hurt just as much for the children right here as for the children in other countries. A child in need is a child in need no matter where they are on the map. It isn't about doing something bigger, better, harder or more noble. It is about a child. A child who needs a family. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17 This is us learning to do good. We will cheer you on in your endeavor to learn to good as we hope you will for us.
Why Ethiopia?
It is a beautiful country. We love learning about the rich culture and people of Ethiopia. The food is full of unique flavors and spices. We love to travel and we are excited to experience as much of African culture as we can. On a very personal note we have been incredibly blessed by the addition of our niece, Miss M. who is from Ethiopia. Our hope is that a connection to their homeland between Miss M. and our daughter will be something that each of them will cherish. There are approximately 5 million orphans in Ethiopia. Our daughter is one of them. I do not know where she is, what she looks like or from the circumstances she will come but I know that I love her with all my heart. I know that I don't want her to hurt or suffer or to be hungry or scared. And I know that God places the lonely in families. Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families. Psalms 68:5-6 So we are ready and waiting for a precious one from Ethiopia.
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