Happiness...

This past weekend was filled with LOTS of activities! Summer around these parts brings lots of birthday parties (lots of summer birthdays in our family and amongst our friends), bbqs, beach and pool time, and lots going on around our city. So this weekend was filled with all that- and the not so fun part of saying good-bye to great friends who will be moving quite a distance away next week. The MOST exciting part of my weekend though was attending a donations dinner for a wonderful friend who is about to make her way over to Ethiopia NEXT WEEK! We all brought clothes, shoes, toys, baby supplies etc...and she will pack them all up to take over with her. To say I'm excited for her is an understatement! Her passion is what led us to learn more about Ethiopia- and I'm so thankful God was opening our hearts at just the right time to be used by Him in such a way as adoption! I will never cease to be amazed by the timeliness of all of it! Some of you know Kim over at the http://thechangemecrew.blogspot.com! If not, PLEASE go check out her blog and send her an encouraging message- the girl is headed out to do some incredible stuff NEXT WEEK and y'all know I'll be sitting here praying she is used by the Lord in remarkable ways!

 When I grow up I want to cook like her....check out these adorable cookies she made....and I think my face gives away just how HAPPY and EXCITED I am to be on this adoption journey....

So where are we in the adoption process right now? Well, we got an email filled with LOTS of attachments last week. These attachments comprise our home study...along with a few interviews that will be conducted in various ways. We are getting started on all that paperwork- which will include physicals and fingerprinting....this will take us a couple of months- no way to know exactly how long right now as it will depend on the schedules of all involved. Also we will be waiting on certain copies of forms that will need to be submitted with the home study. Lots of question marks on the timeline here but our prayers are that it is a speedy and smooth process....do you think the Lord will teach us patience on this journey- of that I have NO doubt!

My Child...

I LOVE our church! For us, it is the true representation of what God intentionally designed the world to be- a transethnic community of believers. Transethnic is a word our church "coined" in a way and defined as the following..."we are a church that intentionally seeks to transcend our cultural and ethnic differences by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ." In addition, our church is definitely pro-adoption/foster care and seeks to support those families. We are so happy that this is the church we will bring our child home to. 

Today, during the announcements my husband leaned over and pointed out our pastor's message on the front of the bulletin. We both smiled at each other and knew we needed to re-post it here. It was so comforting to think that this message is for ALL of God's children- and I can't help but think it is a tremendous reminder of God's love to the orphans waiting around the world. It is also a gentle reminder that there is no yours, mine, or ours when it comes to children, rather, we are all HIS. 

An Open Letter From Your Father

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Ps.139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Ps.139:2); even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matt. 10:29-31). 

You are made in my image (Gen.1:27), for you are my offspring (Acts 17:28); I even knew you before you were conceived (Jer. 1:4-5). 

I chose you when I planned creation (Eph. 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Ps. 139:15-16) and I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26).

You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). I knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps. 139:13) and I brought you forth on the day you were born (Ps. 71:6).

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but I am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16), and it is my desire to lavish my love on you...simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1).

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matt. 7:11) for I am the perfect father (Matt. 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17), for I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matt. 6:31-33). 

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jer. 29:11) because I love you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Ps. 139:17-18), and I rejoice over you with singing (Zeph. 3:17).

I will never stop doing good to you (Jer. 32:40), for you are my treasured possession (Ex. 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jer. 32:41) and I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jer. 33:3).

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Cor. 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Ps. 34:18). And nothing will ever separate you from my love (Rom. 8:38-39).

Come home and I'll throw you the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). My question is, "Will you be my child?" (John 1:12-13). I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32).

                                                                  Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

My 147 MILLION Challenge!

Let me start by saying- as of October 2010 I was not a runner! In no way, shape, or form could I be considered a runner. However, somewhere during my daughter's pregnancy I opened my idealistic mouth and announced to my husband (who is a marathon runner) that I would be participating in the Cherry Blossom 10-mile run in April 2011. This was my big "lose the baby weight" plan! So, I gave birth, waited six weeks to be cleared by my doctor and began training. I use the word training loosely- because I first had to walk/jog intermittently- and after about a month, on Thanksgiving Day actually- I managed to run my first mile without having to stop to walk. Was I impressed by myself!! Well, gradually I built up my miles and what do you know- I actually kept my eyes focused on the goal- and ran the entire ten miles just shy of my 2 hour goal! The best part- my husband whose pace is about half of mine- ran the entire thing right by my side, encouraging and cheering me along- yeah, he's awesome like that!

So, the race is well passed us now and I still love running (something I never thought I'd say). What I love the most about running is the time it gives me to really think, to pray, to be alone (sometimes). Yes, I run with my kids a couple times a week. No, I don't use an Ipod or listen to any music. I just never started listening during my training and now I think it would just throw me off. I like the quiet when I can leave the kids at home- and sometimes, on rare occasions, I like the distractions they offer and the "go mom!" I need when I'm dragging! Running still isn't super easy for me- but hey, I'll be grateful to it forever because, yes, it did get rid of the majority of the baby weight.

So, while I was out running yesterday- I had a thought. There are 147 MILLION orphans that help to comprise the world's population. That is a HUGE number. HUGE. That's more than the entire population of some countries...Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Italy just to name a few...yes, I had to really study  these numbers and make my husband double check my math and I still cannot grasp it! I'm not sure we should be able to grasp it because it is simply unbelievable....and horrifying. How did I not know this just a few short months ago? Well, I know it now and I thank God for opening my eyes to it, because now I can do something.

I came home and told my husband....we should take on a 147 MILLION challenge of sorts...we should pledge, to ourselves and to each other, that we will in some way remind ourselves daily/weekly/monthly that these children exist and even though we do not know them all by name or face- we love them! So here is my pledge- right now I am not training for a race but I want my running to have a purpose- so for the next month- I am going to be running 14.7 miles a week. I currently run about 10 miles a week so this will be a little bit of a stretch- but that is the purpose- to stretch my mind and my heart. The running is really just the tangible way of reminding myself that there is no reason for this number. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Anyone else up for this challenge? Just pick whatever works for you...swimming, biking, walking, running...and any variation of 147...1.47, 14.7, 147....daily/weekly/monthly....I'll be cheering you on! 


Please go and check out this amazing organization to learn more about the 147 million orphans that need our love...http://147millionorphans.com/

Because Everyone Loves....

A Good Book!

I recently attended a homeschool conference in our state. Besides attending great speaking sessions and being inspired by moms homeschooling anywhere from 2-14 (yes, 14!) children of various ages, I also had the opportunity to enjoy wandering around the Exhibit Hall and investigating all sorts of curriculum, educational toys, and lots and lots of awesome children's books. To say I have an educational supply shopping addiction would be an understatement!

It was during my time at the conference that we were really hoping one of us would get the call that said we had been accepted into the Ethiopia program! It was nearing the 10 day mark of when our agency said we would hear. On Friday morning, I woke up and thought- I need to pray about this! Of course we had prayed during our decision process- but lately God is teaching me the necessity of true "I need you" prayers! So before I left my hotel for the first workshop of the day- I put it all in HIS hands. That is where this whole adoption process really belongs anyway! I am a conduit of love, open arms, listening ear and a full heart for a child that is ultimately HIS! WELL- guess what- my phone rang at 2pm! Of course, it was on silent and I missed it- and spent the next couple of hours in between workshops trying to get back in touch with the agency- hiding in corners of the building where my phone got service. Eventually, my husband got word from the agency that we were accepted into their Ethiopia program! I was so excited and somewhat in disbelief- we were in the program- which meant- THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING! We now had paperwork to start!

After hearing from my husband I knew I just couldn't just go back and sit in the hotel room so I decided to wander around the Exhibit Hall again....even though I had spent HOURS in there the night before- I managed to find one booth I must have missed. While I have heard of Barefoot Books before and we have taken some of their books out of the library- I have never been to a showcase before. They are awesome! And, at that booth, I found someone who was SO excited to hear about our adoption! In fact, she had been adopted and was so excited to share some of the Africa books and adoption books that Barefoot offers. Well- let me just say- this made the whole phone call and program acceptance feel REAL!

I KNOW this book will be a favorite in our house:

What a beautiful way to explain the tie between two women who love the same child so deeply!

I also purchased this book which came in the mail today:

This book is more appropriate for the older child- Barefoot suggest 8 and up....but I love that it has a story for every African country. I plan to use the pictures in this book to help explain to my little ones the journey we are taking!


So excited to begin building a special library for our child!



Thank you Shana Miller- Barefoot Books Ambassador
http://www.barefootbooks.com/marketplace/27068

Knock, Knock....Who's there?

MEALS ON WHEELS!!

I can't tell you how excited I am about this outreach opportunity! Meals on Wheels has been on my heart for a long time- way back to when I was a newlywed- my dearest friend and I used to joke that one day I would be driving around a big ole' station wagon with my kiddos loaded in the back delivering bread to homeless shelters and meals to the needy. Well, that time came sooner than I thought but here we are, meet your newest Meals on Wheels delivery folks:

What I absolutely love is that my sweethearts can come along for the ride! My little man LOVES knocking on people's doors and he typically doesn't wait for an invite to come inside. I think he would visit all day if I let him! He asks a lot of questions about what we are doing but since his momma loves cooking whenever given the chance- around these parts its usually for a new mommy/baby- he is pretty used to delivering meals around town! Yesterday I told him, "Guess what, we get to go to work again tomorrow!" He said, "They're hungry again?" That made me laugh! You know what though- it shows me the wheels in that adorable little head are turning!

Here he is all excited to get to the nursing home to pick up the food...

Some days I really miss all the volunteer work I was able to do early in our marriage when I was working on my Masters degree- but lately, I feel extremely blessed that God is opening more and more doors for me to get involved in the community again- especially when I can bring my babies along! I'm all about raising RADICAL kids!

What did we do Wednesday?

Today....

We experimented with the water squirters Grammy sent...

Enjoyed cruising around the water table...

Tested out painting with jello (this was a big sugary mess, not quite as advertised!)...

Did some swinging in the shade...

One of us ate pasta and sauce for the first time...

AND....

Were just plain SILLY!!!

What fun things did you do today?

Those Closest To the Heart Of God

Those Closest To the Heart Of God

Here is a link to the sermon I have been referring to...after staying up late one Saturday night talking about adoption, this is the sermon that welcomed us on Sunday morning! Timely and amazing is all I have to say!

If we are the Body...

To be honest, I can’t say that we talked a whole lot about adoption prior to learning about Ethiopia. Yes, fostering was somewhere on our radars “for much later on”. But adoption, with two already itty bitties in the house- we hadn’t really even had TIME to talk about that! 

The fact is, we were comfortable on the surface, and truly in need of a good “shaking up!” WE were the very people for whom David Platt wrote “Radical”. WE were the very people that needed to hear a convicting sermon on orphans and widows (link coming soon). WE were the very people that needed an email from a good friend about to leave on a missions trip to Ethiopia, and WE were the very people who needed to feel a little MORE UNCOMFORTABLE! 

Once we did, once our eyes were opened and our hearts were broken, WE were the very people who could hear God's call to adopt loud and clear! For us, our confirmations came quickly. I am certainly not saying that everyone should run out right now and submit applications to adopt without listening for God's call- BUT, we all can certainly do something to help! We can all sponsor a child, we can all contribute a one-time donation, we can all LEARN more about what is happening in regards to our nation’s children AND the world’s children. We can all be MORE AWARE that we are ALL much more comfortable than we’d like to admit to being. 

Back in fourth grade I remember learning something that stuck with me. Even as a very young child I remember thinking this was such a convicting statement. “Church is spelled C-H-U-R-C-H because U R the church”. If that is true, if we are the church, then we all should be carrying a much heavier burden to be the church Jesus envisioned:

Two verses stand out to me-

“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

We are a K-Love family. Because we listen only to K-Love in the car our kids have very little exposure to music other than worship music- and of course those lovely childhood classics they all manage to learn somewhere! We really appreciate the fact that our 2 year old considers his favorite song to be “Beautiful my sweet, sweet song” and sings it with as much gusto as the ABC’s. Actually, I think I will try to video him singing it and post it because it is quite entertaining how his voice pitches at certain parts!

All that was to say...there is an amazing song that I keep hearing on K-Love lately that says:

But if we are the Body  Why aren't His arms reaching  Why aren't His hands healing  Why aren't His words teaching  And if we are the Body  Why aren't His feet going  Why is His love not showing them there is a way  There is a way

If we are the body of Jesus, then our hearts should break for every thing that broke His- and when that truly happens we should NOT be able to keep our arms from reaching and our feet from going. Once I asked Jesus to break my heart for what breaks His, I was simply discontent sitting still. Yes, we are all tired- but this is when I make a broad sweeping statement and say that this is because here, in America, we are busy with busy-ness! I am as guilty of that as anyone, but being busy being Christ-like- now that is something I can aspire too! In fact, when I really challenge myself with that, getting out of bed in the morning is really easy...because the 16-17 hours (on a REALLY good night Ha!) that I am awake is not nearly enough time to do everything I KNOW I could! And I’ll be the first to say...enjoying and loving on my children is not only the most Christ-like thing I can be doing as a parent, it is also my primary ministry right now! I am so thankful for the discontent I have been experiencing- the world has so much more to offer me now- so many more people to love and to serve! 

Why Ethiopia?

We recently shared our BIG news with family and friends- Facebook, as always, has the power to inform LOTS of people VERY quickly! And, all I have to say is WOW- we are overwhelmed with the love, support, and encouragement we have received! Like I said, we are BLESSED to have such an awesome family- and our friends never leave us hanging either! 

While Ethiopia was most definitely put on our hearts by God, I cannot go without sharing more about why this country has touched us so deeply. I can give you a whole bunch of statistics and leave you to ponder them....but statistics are just the beginning. Some of these numbers are too big to simply read- you will probably need to really think about them in terms of your own life for a while- let them sit- let God work on your heart- and even then I am not sure any of us can really fathom it. As my husband and I were driving this past weekend we were talking about traveling to Africa. I personally have a really hard time imagining getting off the plane, walking through the streets, and holding our child for the first time! I'm sure as we continue on this journey that will (maybe) all feel more real! However, my husband said something that has just replayed in my head the last two days. He said, "I can't wait to go- I can't wait to see it with my own eyes- I WANT my heart to break even more for those children." WOW- I guess I was so focused on the fact that I would FINALLY be meeting our child- but yes, I will see the poverty, the malnutrition, the lack of clean water....and I will see A LOT of children still waiting....waiting as God works on somebody's heart - somewhere. And of course I will see those waiting for their family to arrive to meet them too! 

So originally I thought when I posted about Ethiopia I would give you facts. But as my husband and I visited with his family this weekend and tossed around a bunch of facts we were told many times, "It's just so hard to believe." They are not wrong-it is hard to grasp! So yesterday, I gathered my mother-in-law and father-in-law around the computer and showed them this video...and that's when I think the facts began to take on a life...and a face. So I will post this video for you all to see...it says it all. 

A special thanks to the Walker family for sharing this video.
 http://www.walkerpartyof3.blogspot.com/

We're EXPECTING.....

FROM AFRICA!!!

    Yes, you read that correctly! We are about to begin the adoption process and have created this blog  to invite you all along on the journey! It will be quite a journey, that is for sure! There is nothing quick or easy about the process, but we are SO excited that at the end of it, we will welcome our third child into our family!

   So, I am sure you are all wondering, why adoption? Our family has been blessed so tremendously! We have two beautiful children and an amazing life! Several months ago, God also BLESSED us with a burden for third world countries. It began as a small inkling in our thoughts and grew to a burden that physically weighed on our hearts.   We read the most amazing book, "Radical" by David Platt, and we felt called to put our Christian faith to the test. We felt challenged to not just FOLLOW Jesus but to LIVE AS HE LIVED. We did not feel comfortable being comfortable anymore. Of course, as only God can master a plan, He WORKED in our lives...and the lives of our family members! Not knowing where to start, we prayed a simple prayer, "Lord, break our hearts for what breaks yours." WOW! He did just that! Of course, when you pray that prayer you should also BRACE YOURSELF! Very quickly, in just a matter of four days, He strongly turned our thoughts towards adoption- specifically Ethiopia- and CONFIRMED through at least 3 circumstances that we were hearing Him correctly! Let us just say, there was no denying this calling.

  We asked each other this week, "How did we become set on Ethiopia?" Well, the answer is, we BOTH just knew! I know that answer is certainly not detailed by any means, but sometimes you just have to have faith! A good friend shared with us about her own journey and the orphanages in Ethiopia and once we KNEW we just could not turn away. Looking at pictures and reading about malnourished and starving children certainly made us WANT to do SOMETHING! We are very open to answering questions about this part of our decision, so if you want to learn more about Ethiopia or adoption- just ask us! We will do the best we can to either answer your question or find the answer for you. We are still learning lots!

  While many families might wait to share their BIG news until further into the process-we have very consciously chosen to share it from the beginning! We will share with you as much as we can and hopefully it will not only help you to understand the adoption process, but allow you to be EXCITED with us! In doing so, we ask that you remain respectful of any hiccups that we may face during the process. As I said previously, it is a long process, and there will most certainly be delays when it comes to tracking down certain pieces of paper or setting appointments. Beyond all else, we ask that you open your hearts to our experience and encourage and pray for us along the way!