There are no words to even begin to describe the humbling and overwhelming experience we have experienced in just a week. Last Monday, one of our best friends posted a note about running 30 miles on her 30th birthday. She is taking pledges from her friends & family and already has quite a few---many are $30 pledges---$1 for each mile she runs. Then today, we found out someone from our church family is planning on matching (up to $2000) anything that Missy makes from her run to "Bring Chloe Home". Also this week, I have at least 4-5 corportate sponsors that have responded to be major sponsors for our 5K race, that hopefully will be held on May 7th. The more corporate sponsors, the better chances of covering the cost of the race and then the fee to the race should go directly to our adoption fund. Finally, today Chris' brother did something similar to Missy and already has a couple hundred in a matter of hours. Most of these people don't even know Chris or I, but because of the commitment/challenge of Missy & Greg, they are becoming part of our journey to bring home Chloe.....and again we are humbled. Humbled by the generosity of these two people, amazed at the generosity of strangers who aren't necessarily getting anything in return, overwhelmed by the matching gift that is not a blood relative, surprised that there aren't enough words to capture what I am feeling. Gratitude. Confirmation. Joy. Peace. Love. Family. Hope. Enthusiastic. and the list goes on....
On a different note, continue to pray about the job lead. I am hoping to hear about one this week!! And that was an act of God too, that I will post about if He (God) decides to let me have this job. lol.
The tough words for the week came on Friday when Ethiopian adoption news came to us. The Ministry of Women who run the adoptions in Ethopia (Compared to our Child Protective Services) stated that Ethiopian adoptions will be cut by 90% effective 3/10/2011. So to make this more clear: they are use to seeing about 50 adoption cases a day (total--us, in-country, and other foreign countries) and now they will be seeing 5 adoption cases a day. This has come as quite a blow to several families who have already been waiting. Chris and I are not on the waiting list as of yet. We have been encouraged not to get too antsy yet. This may be temporary and the fact that Chris and I probably will adopt an older child (toddler is considered 'old') means there is a chance for a shorter wait for us, because many people request infants. Now that shorter wait may be relative. But none the less, we are in this for the long haul. We may be at the semi-beginning of our journey, but we have been so encouraged this week that the journey itself is and will continue to be an opportunity to see God's abundant blessings on our life. But if you see yourself lacking some prayer requests, please pray that this will be temporary as they plan to clean up their system and hopes that the program will be above reproach.
Also this week, we had our first home study visit at CHI in Stl. It went pretty well overall. This Thursday our social worker will visit our home for the 2nd visit of the home study. Hopefully I do not get too freaked out about what is expected. Finally, I am also traveling a few times this week to visit family and a mom's conference at the end of the week.
Prayer Needs: 1)That I get the job within the school district. 2) Ethiopia's adoption programs 3) The efforts of Missy & Greg and the fundraising they are doing on behalf of us, as well as matching donors and friends, family and strangers that are giving to them. 4) Home visit on Thursday. 5) The Mom conference that I am attending this weekend with 16 of our own moms from MOPS/FCC who will join up with about 2000 moms to worship, laugh, and learn how to be the best mom, wife, or godly woman they can be. I always am recharged when I come back from this event!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
"The Wheels Are In Motion"
Whew.....The wheels are really in motion on our adoption journey. In some ways it is going so fast, we can't necessarily keep up. But God is good and I have been reminded that His hand is guiding me and holding me fast and I praise Him for that.
You can check out the Adoption Timeline periodically to see where we are at on our journey. Early March will be our home study visits and once the home study is completed we can officially apply for grants and adoption loans. This is good news as we have had set backs in the financial area. I am still looking for a job (another long term sub position is open right now---that I am praying to get and you can join me in that request :) ). And I guess I never blogged about it, but my Chris had an emergency appedectomy on Jan. 28th. We literally got the bill today and at this point our part is $900. (Chris says $900 isn't too bad to save his life---which I have to agree. :)) He never was really sick and bounced back very quickly, however, that thing could have burst any second and we are grateful that we got it out before things could have been worse (another HUGE praise). Of course, $900 is our next major fee due to Citizenship and Naturalization Services, along with $500 to complete the home study. Please pray that we can get the job & that perhaps we will qualify for payment assistance/scholarship with the hospital.
My best friend and I are working together to put on our first fundraiser. It will be a 5K run/walk and 1 mile fun run (for the kids), tentatively planned for May 7th, the saturday before Mother's Day. So that is exciting--anyone and everyone in the Franklin County area can save the date and participate!!! I am debating on what other events to hold or do in order to raise funds, however none of these ideas can just be pulled off quickly. So that is prayer request #2, for wisdom and such so that people don't easily tire of our fundraisers too soon and that we will know when to or when not to stop.
So....story to warm your heart: Sunday after church, we were eating lunch when Eli (5 yrs) says, "Mom, there are six of us here." I, confused, said "Six? Who are the six people here?" And Eli quickly counts all physically present in our family and then smiles at me and adds "Chloe makes six!" My heart just lept for joy, as I know that I am constantly thinking of her, but to know my Eli knows she is present in our hearts and minds is mindnumbing to me (in a good mindnumbing kind of way).....Even though she isn't physically here, God knows where she physically is and we are all over here praying for her to join us as quickly as God will allow. Meanwhile, below is a pic of our family having fun on an upteen snow day in January. Based on some of the referrels some families have been getting, it is not unrealistic to think by next January our family picture will be different with, all six of us in it.
You can check out the Adoption Timeline periodically to see where we are at on our journey. Early March will be our home study visits and once the home study is completed we can officially apply for grants and adoption loans. This is good news as we have had set backs in the financial area. I am still looking for a job (another long term sub position is open right now---that I am praying to get and you can join me in that request :) ). And I guess I never blogged about it, but my Chris had an emergency appedectomy on Jan. 28th. We literally got the bill today and at this point our part is $900. (Chris says $900 isn't too bad to save his life---which I have to agree. :)) He never was really sick and bounced back very quickly, however, that thing could have burst any second and we are grateful that we got it out before things could have been worse (another HUGE praise). Of course, $900 is our next major fee due to Citizenship and Naturalization Services, along with $500 to complete the home study. Please pray that we can get the job & that perhaps we will qualify for payment assistance/scholarship with the hospital.
My best friend and I are working together to put on our first fundraiser. It will be a 5K run/walk and 1 mile fun run (for the kids), tentatively planned for May 7th, the saturday before Mother's Day. So that is exciting--anyone and everyone in the Franklin County area can save the date and participate!!! I am debating on what other events to hold or do in order to raise funds, however none of these ideas can just be pulled off quickly. So that is prayer request #2, for wisdom and such so that people don't easily tire of our fundraisers too soon and that we will know when to or when not to stop.
So....story to warm your heart: Sunday after church, we were eating lunch when Eli (5 yrs) says, "Mom, there are six of us here." I, confused, said "Six? Who are the six people here?" And Eli quickly counts all physically present in our family and then smiles at me and adds "Chloe makes six!" My heart just lept for joy, as I know that I am constantly thinking of her, but to know my Eli knows she is present in our hearts and minds is mindnumbing to me (in a good mindnumbing kind of way).....Even though she isn't physically here, God knows where she physically is and we are all over here praying for her to join us as quickly as God will allow. Meanwhile, below is a pic of our family having fun on an upteen snow day in January. Based on some of the referrels some families have been getting, it is not unrealistic to think by next January our family picture will be different with, all six of us in it.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A Healthy Expectancy
Do you know what the problem is with adopting? :) You have all these other opportunites to find out about others who are adopting and help them fund their adoption and even recieve some of the cutest crafts/jewelry/art that is reminiscent of the country you are adopting from or a verse that is special and relevant. It is really hard to not buy everything you want when you need to be saving yourself. But that is my problem, I am expecting. :) (In a good way....)
All that to say, there is some B-E-E-E-autiful art that I have learned about within the last month and it is hard to pick my favorite. I love what she does with a newspaper and some paint!!! She is adopting a child from Ethiopia (she already has one adopted child and two biological---if I am correct in my readings) and is on the waiting list....she has been waiting for 3 months is having a 3 month waiting giveaway here. Also take some time to look at some of her fantastic art. Obviously, at the present moment, I am not buying any art---but I am trying to win the giveaway and perhaps some day down the road, I can buy some. (I am on a winning streak with some blog giveaways). :)
Adoption is so crazy....It is amazing that there are so many orphans out there (in case you don't know the number=147 MILLION) and yet "the man" makes it so hard to actually adopt. Even when you decide to, there are so many questions/hurdles to overcome. We are in what will be possibly over a year long journey, + or - several months. I remember when Chris shared that he was ready to adopt---something we had been praying about for years---I felt like I was "expecting" without the expecting. I did share with a couple of friends, who definately shared in my excitement. But after reading the above blog.....I have to prepare myself to know and understand that that excitement may dwindle (although I DO have some amazing friends). After all I don't have a baby bump or ultrasound pic to prove it, a due date to look forward to, or an insurance plan to cover it. I figured rather than a 9 month pregnancy I'm in a who knows how long "expectancy" (and I thought 9 months was long!). I had to look up whether or not I made up that word or if it was a real word. Duh! Well of course it is, but more often we think about it in regards to life expectancy rather than a pregnancy. (Side note: the average life expectancy in Ethiopia is 55 yrs). The good news is: God has already taken the ultrasound pic, He know the hairs on her head and when she is to be born, and He has provided me with the greatest insurance policy known to living man. I can expect good things from Him, because He has promised that to me (Jeremiah 29:11). I want to have a healthy expectany while I wait on our baby to be known to us, I want to not disappoint God while I wait. I love the song "Worship While I Wait" (from the Fireproof soundtrack). That is my plan--to worship while I wait. The funny thing is I'm not even close to a waiting list yet....but I am still waiting on all the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place. I know they will.
Some good thoughts to look up on a healthy expectancy:
Lamentations 3:24-25 (Amplified Version)
Psalm 27:14 (King James)
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
James 1:6-7 (NLT)
Devotional Blog that discusses "lively expectation"
I am excited about this expectancy and I am excited about expecting God to act in the life of our family, here and in Ethiopia. The cool thing about having high & lively expectations with God, He is the only one that won't disappoint!!!
Thanks for listening to my sentiments!
All that to say, there is some B-E-E-E-autiful art that I have learned about within the last month and it is hard to pick my favorite. I love what she does with a newspaper and some paint!!! She is adopting a child from Ethiopia (she already has one adopted child and two biological---if I am correct in my readings) and is on the waiting list....she has been waiting for 3 months is having a 3 month waiting giveaway here. Also take some time to look at some of her fantastic art. Obviously, at the present moment, I am not buying any art---but I am trying to win the giveaway and perhaps some day down the road, I can buy some. (I am on a winning streak with some blog giveaways). :)
Adoption is so crazy....It is amazing that there are so many orphans out there (in case you don't know the number=147 MILLION) and yet "the man" makes it so hard to actually adopt. Even when you decide to, there are so many questions/hurdles to overcome. We are in what will be possibly over a year long journey, + or - several months. I remember when Chris shared that he was ready to adopt---something we had been praying about for years---I felt like I was "expecting" without the expecting. I did share with a couple of friends, who definately shared in my excitement. But after reading the above blog.....I have to prepare myself to know and understand that that excitement may dwindle (although I DO have some amazing friends). After all I don't have a baby bump or ultrasound pic to prove it, a due date to look forward to, or an insurance plan to cover it. I figured rather than a 9 month pregnancy I'm in a who knows how long "expectancy" (and I thought 9 months was long!). I had to look up whether or not I made up that word or if it was a real word. Duh! Well of course it is, but more often we think about it in regards to life expectancy rather than a pregnancy. (Side note: the average life expectancy in Ethiopia is 55 yrs). The good news is: God has already taken the ultrasound pic, He know the hairs on her head and when she is to be born, and He has provided me with the greatest insurance policy known to living man. I can expect good things from Him, because He has promised that to me (Jeremiah 29:11). I want to have a healthy expectany while I wait on our baby to be known to us, I want to not disappoint God while I wait. I love the song "Worship While I Wait" (from the Fireproof soundtrack). That is my plan--to worship while I wait. The funny thing is I'm not even close to a waiting list yet....but I am still waiting on all the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place. I know they will.
Some good thoughts to look up on a healthy expectancy:
Lamentations 3:24-25 (Amplified Version)
Psalm 27:14 (King James)
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
James 1:6-7 (NLT)
Devotional Blog that discusses "lively expectation"
I am excited about this expectancy and I am excited about expecting God to act in the life of our family, here and in Ethiopia. The cool thing about having high & lively expectations with God, He is the only one that won't disappoint!!!
Thanks for listening to my sentiments!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Adoption Auction for a friend....
Our friends Jennifer & Trevor who have been such an encouragement to us at the beginning of our adoption journey are having an Adoption Auction in 1 WEEK!!! They are opening their home to a sibling group from Ethiopia and are already on the waiting list with the same agency that we are using, Children's Hope International. They are such a Godly couple and example of what it means to live life abudantly in the name of Jesus. If you like to shop online anyway for cute crafty items or jewelry and such, please visit their blog and check out the items that will be up for bid. Just in time for Valentine's Day!!!
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Here is a winter slideshow. Even though winter is not over, I shall go ahead and post in hopes that it will get over sooner than later. lol. I really have been an awful mom on the upteen snow days we've had. Not very creative and a lack of energy for playing outside with the kids in the snow. ( I HATE playing in the snow...so I put it off as long as I can. Not sure when this Hate occurred , being that I distinctly remember enjoying it as a child--but just like your taste buds can change, I guess so can your seasonal playtime preferences)...so I got real excited when a fellow MOPS mom shared about snowcream. I had not heard of it before Friday. And lo and behold, I had all the ingredients to mix together in my house (very rare). It only has 3 ingredeints plus the snow, so I guess that might not be as impressive as it initially sounded. Anyways, I let the kids help me with the measuring and mixing and we made a HUGE bowl of snowcream and it was delicous. Eden shared that "from now on this is a new family tradition!" We were having lots of fun. Eden said "Dig in!" and so we did. A bit later Eli shouted "NECK FREEZE!!!" and then he said "Heart Freeze!" He is such a funny kid. Anyways snowcream was a big hit in my house and a tradition I don't mind, because it brings the snow inside where it is warm & cozy---where I like it.
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