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| Named Connor James, by his hopeful adoptive family, he went to Jesus last night. |
Showing posts with label orphans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orphans. Show all posts
Thursday, August 22, 2013
What Will It Take??
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Is Matthew Yours?
Dear friends, nothing breaks my soul more than when a treasured orphan ages out.
In China, it's young.
Age 14.
(Can you fathom never having your heart trained for life and being pushed out on your own at age 14?!)
After that 14th birthday...a most dreaded birthday as an unwanted and unchosen orphan...he or she is forever deemed "unadoptable" by the government of China. They will never be able to become a son or daughter. There's way to much "UN" in that sentence.
Oh. My tears come again.
Dear Matthew is a boy in danger of this fate. He lives in China and is so dear. Watch his video. He is PRECIOUS!
In China, it's young.
Age 14.
(Can you fathom never having your heart trained for life and being pushed out on your own at age 14?!)
After that 14th birthday...a most dreaded birthday as an unwanted and unchosen orphan...he or she is forever deemed "unadoptable" by the government of China. They will never be able to become a son or daughter. There's way to much "UN" in that sentence.
Oh. My tears come again.
Dear Matthew is a boy in danger of this fate. He lives in China and is so dear. Watch his video. He is PRECIOUS!
Is he yours??
If so, please do not waste a MINUTE MORE!!! His 14th birthday is marching towards us quickly! Today is May 1st and his birthday is in SEPTEMBER!!!
Do not walk, RUN TO CHINA to scoop up this love!!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
URGENT PRAYER for Russian Orphan Vitaliy!
The time is NOW to rally the troops. NOW!!!
Vladim*r Putin put a ban on Russian adoptions to American families.
I'm sure you heard about this. But...what does it look like for a family and a little boy waiting in Russia who were mid-process?
I'd like you to meet Vitaliy. (pronounced Vi tall ey)
He is 4 years old.
He has Down Syndrome.
And his want-to-be parents say this about him:
Friends, we need to be in prayer. Like right NOW!
My friend Jenny and her husband Aaron get on a plane TODAY bound for Russia. (They've already flown across America and are waiting in an airport at this moment!)
They have a court date to complete his adoption, but a Russian judge will not be able to go against the new law.
Yet they still go.
In her words she said,
"Right now there is not much hope. We have been told to expect an unfavorable ruling in court if the judge agrees to see us. The judge simply cannot go against the law. So we are going to pour as much love into Vitaliy and spend as much time with him as we can."
Please, please pray for a miracle!!!!
As Vitaliy has Down Syndrome, he will soon be transferred to a mental institution where he will be hidden away from society. There are some horrific tales of what happens to people in those institutions and there is no way to say which one he will end up in.
If he goes.
Normally they are transferred over at age 4 or 5. He has been kept at the "baby home" longer because of the Jenny and Aaron's signatures on his referral papers.
But now?
No one knows.
My friends have been battling the FLU on top of all of this! Please pray for their health to be restored!
They know fully well that they are walking into a spiritual battle for the life and soul of dear sweet Vitaliy. They need to KNOW that the body of Christ stands behind them and supports them!
Please pray for their hearts. That they might be filled with an overflowing peace that only our God gives.
Pray for their stay. That all logistics will go smoothly. They long to just hold and love on their boy as much as possible.
Pray for miracles in the court system and in the hearts of the Russian leadership.
Pray for dear Vitaliy. Pray that he will delight and enjoy in this emotion-laden visit that he will have with his parents. He knows nothing about all the politics...all he knows is the love of these dear people.
Pray for others to SEE and rally behind the Moyers. Pray that their story will change the heart of Vladim*r Putin.
Pray that this leader will CHANGE HIS MIND and release the precious orphans of Russia into loving homes!!!!
Here is a video that CNN did about their family's situation about a few weeks back:
Vladim*r Putin put a ban on Russian adoptions to American families.
I'm sure you heard about this. But...what does it look like for a family and a little boy waiting in Russia who were mid-process?
I'd like you to meet Vitaliy. (pronounced Vi tall ey)
He is 4 years old.
He has Down Syndrome.
And his want-to-be parents say this about him:
"Vitaliy is the happiest, kindest person Aaron and I have met. He is beautiful, bright and precious! He is brilliant, loves to dance and comforts his friends when they are sad. He calls us Mama and Papa. He knows we are his parents and he is waiting for us."
Friends, we need to be in prayer. Like right NOW!
My friend Jenny and her husband Aaron get on a plane TODAY bound for Russia. (They've already flown across America and are waiting in an airport at this moment!)
They have a court date to complete his adoption, but a Russian judge will not be able to go against the new law.
Yet they still go.
In her words she said,
"Right now there is not much hope. We have been told to expect an unfavorable ruling in court if the judge agrees to see us. The judge simply cannot go against the law. So we are going to pour as much love into Vitaliy and spend as much time with him as we can."
Please, please pray for a miracle!!!!
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| Just LOOK at how Vitaliy looks at Aaron! It brings me to tears!!! |
As Vitaliy has Down Syndrome, he will soon be transferred to a mental institution where he will be hidden away from society. There are some horrific tales of what happens to people in those institutions and there is no way to say which one he will end up in.
If he goes.
Normally they are transferred over at age 4 or 5. He has been kept at the "baby home" longer because of the Jenny and Aaron's signatures on his referral papers.
But now?
No one knows.
My friends have been battling the FLU on top of all of this! Please pray for their health to be restored!
They know fully well that they are walking into a spiritual battle for the life and soul of dear sweet Vitaliy. They need to KNOW that the body of Christ stands behind them and supports them!
Please pray for their hearts. That they might be filled with an overflowing peace that only our God gives.
Pray for their stay. That all logistics will go smoothly. They long to just hold and love on their boy as much as possible.
Pray for miracles in the court system and in the hearts of the Russian leadership.
Pray for dear Vitaliy. Pray that he will delight and enjoy in this emotion-laden visit that he will have with his parents. He knows nothing about all the politics...all he knows is the love of these dear people.
Pray for others to SEE and rally behind the Moyers. Pray that their story will change the heart of Vladim*r Putin.
Pray that this leader will CHANGE HIS MIND and release the precious orphans of Russia into loving homes!!!!
Here is a video that CNN did about their family's situation about a few weeks back:
Get prayin' Church!!!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Because they WON'T be home for the holidays...
I'm in a melancholy mood.
I am a highly extroverted sanguine, so it doesn't happen all that often.
But when it does, I weep for these children.
Sweet children who have WATCHED their foster brothers or sisters get chosen and adopted away internationally.
They know they have been left behind.
They know they were not chosen.
And it's Christmas.
They won't be home with a family for Christmas.
But...what if...
dream with me here...
what if...
what if...
THEY could be home NEXT YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS????
Wouldn't that be AMAZING???
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| Daniel |
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| Joshua |
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| James |
Go and see. Pray with your eyes open. See if God has one of these children for YOUR family.
You could be all they want for Christmas.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Jesus Loves the Waiting Children of the World..
For every family who wants to adopt a healthy baby...
there are thousands upon thousands more children who are waiting to be chosen.
In China there is a rule that once a child has their 14th birthday, they may no longer be adopted.
It's OVER.
All hope of having a mom and a dad comes to a screeching halt.
This breaks my heart.
I have learned that children who are 18 (legal ADULTS!) in our American foster care systems still allow themselves to be listed as waiting for adoption because...
they
just
want
a
mom
of
their
own.
Oh this breaks my heart too!
How often have you called your mom on the phone needing some advice?
"How do I cook a turkey, Mom?" "Remind me how to hem a pair of pants again?"
These children have nobody.
No one who will sit by their bedside and listen to their hopes and dreams at night.
No one will will correct them when they step out of line.
No one who will encourage them when they feel down.
And in China, once the 14th birthday arrives--all hopes are shut off for a family.
FOREVER.
That's why I want to introduce you to a few children.
The first is a boy named Matthew.
Matthew is 13 years old and in danger of aging out FAST.
He has only a few months for his family to find him.
Here's what a volunteer said after spending time with this special young man:
Matthew is a bright boy, and tries really hard at school! He currently attends a special education school with some of his friends where I am told he is doing really well. He has two special needs; a skull deformity and dyskinesia of right limbs. He has very limited use of his right arm and hand. However, this does not affect his life greatly. He will never be an Olympic athlete, but he is able to run around and generally play like most kids.
Matthew has waited far too long for a family. He gets on with everyone and has lots of friends! I saw him grow and mature over the year, he truly is growing into a kind and generous young man. On top of that, he is an easy-going, handsome, bright and funny boy who needs a mom and dad of his own. I do not want him to face the future alone..
there are thousands upon thousands more children who are waiting to be chosen.
In China there is a rule that once a child has their 14th birthday, they may no longer be adopted.
It's OVER.
All hope of having a mom and a dad comes to a screeching halt.
This breaks my heart.
I have learned that children who are 18 (legal ADULTS!) in our American foster care systems still allow themselves to be listed as waiting for adoption because...
they
just
want
a
mom
of
their
own.
Oh this breaks my heart too!
How often have you called your mom on the phone needing some advice?
"How do I cook a turkey, Mom?" "Remind me how to hem a pair of pants again?"
These children have nobody.
No one who will sit by their bedside and listen to their hopes and dreams at night.
No one will will correct them when they step out of line.
No one who will encourage them when they feel down.
And in China, once the 14th birthday arrives--all hopes are shut off for a family.
FOREVER.
That's why I want to introduce you to a few children.
The first is a boy named Matthew.
Matthew is 13 years old and in danger of aging out FAST.
Here's what a volunteer said after spending time with this special young man:
Matthew is a bright boy, and tries really hard at school! He currently attends a special education school with some of his friends where I am told he is doing really well. He has two special needs; a skull deformity and dyskinesia of right limbs. He has very limited use of his right arm and hand. However, this does not affect his life greatly. He will never be an Olympic athlete, but he is able to run around and generally play like most kids.
Matthew has waited far too long for a family. He gets on with everyone and has lots of friends! I saw him grow and mature over the year, he truly is growing into a kind and generous young man. On top of that, he is an easy-going, handsome, bright and funny boy who needs a mom and dad of his own. I do not want him to face the future alone..
Will YOU become Matthew's family? Help us beat the clock and find his family!! Share about him!
The second is a boy named Bo. He is 12 years old.
As you may notice, Bo is missing his left forearm. Otherwise, he is said to be athletic, active and extroverted. I got to see video of him playing in the orphanage yard with other children, giggling and running and...waiting.
Here's a tidbit from his file:
Bo goes to third class at school. Since his reception ability is lagging behind, he studies seriously and hard. He works hard at school, consult when meeting questions, forms good studying habits, the teachers are all like him.
In terms of studying, he always tells himself “I’m not stupid, I just didn’t work hard; although I’m not genius, I will continue to work hard to change my fate”. He is ambitious. He gets along well with others at school and likes to play games with others. He loves to work and help others, left a good impression at school. He is active, naughty and has a ready smile. He comes back to this big family after class and brings his little sisters and brothers to play.
In their eyes, Bo is a big brother, always helps them and takes care of them. In the caretakers’ eyes, he is mature and always tries his best to do things within his power. Once, he cleared up the chairs and did some cleaning in the absence of a teacher, he always wipes desks for teachers which make them moved. They regard him as their closest relatives and love him. He is independent in daily life and has strong power to self care. He cleans his room everyday and washes his clothes frequently. He pays attention to sanitation and always makes his clothes tidy. He is an athletic boy, we hope other children could study from him.
Is Bo your son? Will you helps spread the word for him?
A third is Cassandra. Also a teenager with limited time to become a daughter.
Cassandra is 12 years old. She is blind in her right eye and is listed as having spina bifida and unilateral club feet. She has received surgery for her feet by an American doctor, but more surgery is needed.
She is said to be hard working in her studies and is a talented piano player. She is very open and outgoing with a wonderful, ready smile. She can make friends easily and is said to be very helpful to her friends.
Cassandra is able to move and walk with assistance and has continence.
Will you be her mother or father? Will you help share her story so they will find her?
Watch the following video and see the amazing facts about the world's orphans. See how God moves your heart!
If you would like information on Matthew, Bo or Cassandra I can put you in contact with someone who can help you!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
It's Orphan Sunday...
It's Orphan Sunday...
...and I cannot stay silent.
There are a thousand ways to honor the fatherless in the world...but I'm going to suggest just
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| Source |
One way to make the biggest difference in the most places around the planet...and specifically in your own heart.
One thing to do that will move heaven.
One thing that you can do while you wash the Sunday dishes.
One thing that you can do to bring hope and healing to the hearts of the millions of orphans around the world today.
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| Source |
That's right, prayer unleashes the power of God. We are commanded to pray about all things...and I suggest that today as a way of honoring the dear children who have no voice and no ability to speak up for themselves.
Using a suggested prayer guide from Katie Davis who works in Uganda with some of the neediest orphans and children in the world, I urge you to not just read this but to PRAY.
-Pray for the children in our world with no parent at all, with one parent, or with absent parents – that they will be comforted by our mighty God and will feel hope today.
-Pray for an
increased awareness for the needs of vulnerable children in your own community, and for God to reveal to you how you might help.
-Pray that God would inspire His people – both your church and the Church worldwide - to speak up for the fatherless and become active in foster care, adoption, and global orphan care.
-Pray for Amazima’s outreach in Uganda to the vulnerable children we encounter. Pray that we serve well, love generously, and always direct them to Jesus Christ. Pray also for other parachurch ministries that are responding to Christ’s call to serve the widow and the fatherless around the world.
-Seek the Lord and ask whether He might want you to be the family for a child who does not have one.
-Pray that God would inspire His people – both your church and the Church worldwide - to speak up for the fatherless and become active in foster care, adoption, and global orphan care.
-Pray for Amazima’s outreach in Uganda to the vulnerable children we encounter. Pray that we serve well, love generously, and always direct them to Jesus Christ. Pray also for other parachurch ministries that are responding to Christ’s call to serve the widow and the fatherless around the world.
-Seek the Lord and ask whether He might want you to be the family for a child who does not have one.
You never know how your simple obedience in prayer will impact the world! Well, I take that back, you WILL know...but not till the other side of heaven!
Get your kids involved in praying for orphans! Some of the biggest mountains I've seen moved have been as a result of the powerful, faith-filled prayers of a CHILD! One precious mommy I know prays with her children each morning, "Lord, how can we love on orphans today?" I can tell you that they have seen God move in BIG WAYS.
My prayer is that many who would not have normally prayed for the fatherless of this country and all over the world will be moved to do MORE than they have in the past.
I love when the people of God pray to Him about things on His heart! The results are amazing! (I look at our own Zeb and see how true this is!)
Thursday, November 1, 2012
I Can't Seem to Finis...
I currently have TEN started drafts for this blog.
TEN.
That seems excessive to me.
I have more than that started in my head of course...and their next step is to make it to my iPhone to do list for "this month." Then I grab a 1/2 second and begin to write...only to be interup...
So you see, I am seriously backlogged.
But I am determined to finish this post about NOT finishing!!
I have valid reasons for my scatteredness, really.
*Health issues in myself, DQ and Zeb (we are battling the leftovers from a stupid parasite that he came home from Uganda with 15 months ago!). This has been going on for me since late July. Just when I think it's over...its back. Poo! (oh yes, pun intended!)
*My father in law's sudden fall at our house and subsequent emergency brain surgery and 2 weeks hospitalization.
*Brian's spontaneous lung collapsing and subsequent surgery and 10 days hospitalization.
*Zeb's tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy yesterday morning...and what is looking like a not fun recovery.
*Financial stress from all of the above.
*Regular life does not slow down so we can attend to the above!
And so, I have let sitting and blogging go to the wayside.
I miss it. I miss you.
I still am living life as passionate as before...but I don't havethe freedom brain cells left to use my venue to express it!
Still aching for orphans who need families.
Still wanting to get overseas to rescue children from brothels.
Still working out daily and eating healthy and challenging others to do the same.
Still having awesome conversations with friends who mean so much to me...and being challenged in my faith by them.
But I cannot seem to find a square inch ofspace in my day energy to sit and write.
So today, I'm grabbing this moment to simply write about my frustration of not being able to fin...
TEN.
That seems excessive to me.
I have more than that started in my head of course...and their next step is to make it to my iPhone to do list for "this month." Then I grab a 1/2 second and begin to write...only to be interup...
So you see, I am seriously backlogged.
But I am determined to finish this post about NOT finishing!!
I have valid reasons for my scatteredness, really.
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| Source |
*My father in law's sudden fall at our house and subsequent emergency brain surgery and 2 weeks hospitalization.
*Brian's spontaneous lung collapsing and subsequent surgery and 10 days hospitalization.
*Zeb's tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy yesterday morning...and what is looking like a not fun recovery.
*Financial stress from all of the above.
*Regular life does not slow down so we can attend to the above!
And so, I have let sitting and blogging go to the wayside.
I miss it. I miss you.
I still am living life as passionate as before...but I don't have
Still aching for orphans who need families.
Still wanting to get overseas to rescue children from brothels.
Still working out daily and eating healthy and challenging others to do the same.
Still having awesome conversations with friends who mean so much to me...and being challenged in my faith by them.
But I cannot seem to find a square inch of
So today, I'm grabbing this moment to simply write about my frustration of not being able to fin...
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Book It for Baby!
Time for a FRESH NEW FUNDRAISER!!!
Why???
To bring this now BIGGER boy home to our family!
(Can you believe how different he looks than that little boy in the crib in the sidebar?!?! Me neither!!)
Anyway, back to the goods!
Yayyyyy!!!! (the crowd goes wild!)
I have a history of home schooling. Not a long history, about 2 years is all actually. But during that time we bought many Usborne books because they are SO WONDERFUL and full of awesomely colored pages and information that our kids gobbled up. These books are so wonderful that Sonlight curriculum uses volumes of them in their Core curriculums. So when my friend offered to hold a party with these same books to help bring The Tobster home, well, let's just say I JUMPED UP AND DOWN!!
Just to throw a little marketing your way, here is what they about their books:
Usborne and Kane Miller books are the most exciting, engaging and educational books on the market today. They are high quality, innovative, lavishly-illustrated and best of all they are the books kids love to read. Choose from almost 2,000 bright colorful and fun titles covering a wide variety of subjects.
And I agree!! My kids POUR over these books!!!
I went around our house just collecting the Usborne titles we have loved over the years and this is what I've come up with:
Most of our titles are science and history related, but clearly Usborne has fiction and other books too! ;)
So what do our mommy-minds think about after we've put our kiddos back on the school bus and kicked off the school year?
(Stop rolling your eyes, you KNOW it's coming in just 4 months, don't you???)
We also have birthdays in between now and then too!
So here's what I'm thinking. Let's all get AHEAD this year. Consider gifting your beloved ones with books! I can attest to all FIVE of our children pouring over these books for HOURS at a time!
If you choose to do this, you have the joint pleasure knowing that your purchases have helped bring our little Toby-man home!! Twenty-five percent of your purchase will be deposited into Toby's adoption fund. Plus, the more people buy Toby will earn free welcome home books! How cool is THAT?!? I absolutely cannot WAIT to hold him and read to him!!
Follow this linky-dink to shop! Click me! Just to be sure your purchase helps Toby, please select "Amy Shaw" under "choose your event" (never knew I was an event before, haha!) before you proceed to shop.
Awesome!
Why???
To bring this now BIGGER boy home to our family!
(Can you believe how different he looks than that little boy in the crib in the sidebar?!?! Me neither!!)
Anyway, back to the goods!
We have the fabulous opportunity to earn funds for bringing Toby home by hosting an Usborne Book Party!!
Yayyyyy!!!! (the crowd goes wild!)
I have a history of home schooling. Not a long history, about 2 years is all actually. But during that time we bought many Usborne books because they are SO WONDERFUL and full of awesomely colored pages and information that our kids gobbled up. These books are so wonderful that Sonlight curriculum uses volumes of them in their Core curriculums. So when my friend offered to hold a party with these same books to help bring The Tobster home, well, let's just say I JUMPED UP AND DOWN!!
Just to throw a little marketing your way, here is what they about their books:
Usborne and Kane Miller books are the most exciting, engaging and educational books on the market today. They are high quality, innovative, lavishly-illustrated and best of all they are the books kids love to read. Choose from almost 2,000 bright colorful and fun titles covering a wide variety of subjects.
And I agree!! My kids POUR over these books!!!
I went around our house just collecting the Usborne titles we have loved over the years and this is what I've come up with:
Most of our titles are science and history related, but clearly Usborne has fiction and other books too! ;)
So what do our mommy-minds think about after we've put our kiddos back on the school bus and kicked off the school year?
Christmas!
(Stop rolling your eyes, you KNOW it's coming in just 4 months, don't you???)
We also have birthdays in between now and then too!
So here's what I'm thinking. Let's all get AHEAD this year. Consider gifting your beloved ones with books! I can attest to all FIVE of our children pouring over these books for HOURS at a time!
If you choose to do this, you have the joint pleasure knowing that your purchases have helped bring our little Toby-man home!! Twenty-five percent of your purchase will be deposited into Toby's adoption fund. Plus, the more people buy Toby will earn free welcome home books! How cool is THAT?!? I absolutely cannot WAIT to hold him and read to him!!
Follow this linky-dink to shop! Click me! Just to be sure your purchase helps Toby, please select "Amy Shaw" under "choose your event" (never knew I was an event before, haha!) before you proceed to shop.
Awesome!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Children and their FAITH!!
Want to hear a really cool story?
How about two?
Would you stick around for THREE?
Well, I got 'em!
We officially began fundraising for Toby's adoption yesterday. Our need was steep. (And any need is steep when you don't have it!) The number needed for today (Friday) is $1,891.25. We didn't have it.
I am not proud to admit it, but I was stressing about it on Tuesday.
And Wednesday.
I lost sleep over it Wednesday night. :(
Thursday a friend was sharing with me that SHE had faith for me. She had been praying with thanksgiving for how God was going to do it.
She prayed as if it was done.
"If we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently..." Romans 8:25.
I was so encouraged by her faith.
I was like the disciples who watched Jesus feed the 5,000 with 2 loaves and 5 fish and then again saw him do it with a crowd of 4,000. The next paragraph they were in the boat freaking out that they only had one loaf of bread between the 12 of them. Jesus was like, "Dudes! Haven't you learned ANYTHING!?!?!?" (see Mark 8 for this story. My "dude" quote is verse 21.)
Yeah. I'm that dude in the boat.
God has SOOOO provided in the past.
He brought Zebby home to us in lightning fast speed and with money that only He could provide.
And I was lying in my bed with knots in my stomach wondering about this agency payment, "but HOW Lord???"
I could not foresee a way. I wish I had someone smack me upside the head with a fish. (that MIGHT have helped, you never know!)
Instead, God kindly gave me this verse, (because He is so gentle and is not a fish slapping kind of God!)
" I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make rivers in the wilderness." Isaiah 43:19
Then, while having family devotions, our kids ran to grab their pennies and loose change. "There! Now we can bring Toby home!!"
Oh, the precious faith of a child!!
Then yesterday I got a private message on Facebook. My friend's son read the last post with his mom and was asking good questions. "Why does it cost money to give a child a family?" "I want to adopt too!" "How can you hear God call you to do something?" Then, he came and gave her all his money to help bring Toby home.
$4.
I can assure you that those four dollars given in faith have BALLOONED into what we are seeing now in our Adopt Together account!!
Then, as today began, God filled me with faith. I had not a hint of wavering. I KNEW that God would do it. And as I am learning, faith is not something we conjure up, but it is a gift of God. (See Romans 12:3.)
Yesterday afternoon, I was also reminded by my friend that we didn't need the money THURSDAY, we needed it FRIDAY. That I should hold on and see what God did FRIDAY. God then put double rainbows in the sky that night. One for her, one for me. :) God's so cool like that!
Then this afternoon, as I was watching all these donations come in and fill up the need, one story in particular brought me to tears. Three siblings gave from their jars. Then their lovely mother messaged me the story:
This morning on the way to bball camp we prayed, asking God to show us what we could do to help orphans today.
Came home, saw your post, told Zoë. She said, "I'll give $5 to help that baby." then we remembered the jars they keep tithes and savings in. She decided to empty hers for Toby.
Greta saw what was going on. I told her about baby Toby in China who needs to come home to his family and needs doctors and medicine. Greta said, "give him my money jars, too."
After Caleb's playdate I told him about it and he didn't want to participate because he's saving for a science kit. Then he saw the girls' jars and said, "ok, I'll give everything in my jar, including my 8 gold coins from the tooth fairy."
So it's not much, but $57.45 was every cent the kids had. Their compassion speaks to my soul.
I thought you might like to hear these incredible God stories so YOU can have YOUR faith built up and encouraged like mine has been. (I Thessalonians 5:11)
How about two?
Would you stick around for THREE?
Well, I got 'em!
We officially began fundraising for Toby's adoption yesterday. Our need was steep. (And any need is steep when you don't have it!) The number needed for today (Friday) is $1,891.25. We didn't have it.
I am not proud to admit it, but I was stressing about it on Tuesday.
And Wednesday.
I lost sleep over it Wednesday night. :(
Thursday a friend was sharing with me that SHE had faith for me. She had been praying with thanksgiving for how God was going to do it.
She prayed as if it was done.
"If we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently..." Romans 8:25.
I was so encouraged by her faith.
I was like the disciples who watched Jesus feed the 5,000 with 2 loaves and 5 fish and then again saw him do it with a crowd of 4,000. The next paragraph they were in the boat freaking out that they only had one loaf of bread between the 12 of them. Jesus was like, "Dudes! Haven't you learned ANYTHING!?!?!?" (see Mark 8 for this story. My "dude" quote is verse 21.)
Yeah. I'm that dude in the boat.
God has SOOOO provided in the past.
He brought Zebby home to us in lightning fast speed and with money that only He could provide.
And I was lying in my bed with knots in my stomach wondering about this agency payment, "but HOW Lord???"
I could not foresee a way. I wish I had someone smack me upside the head with a fish. (that MIGHT have helped, you never know!)
Instead, God kindly gave me this verse, (because He is so gentle and is not a fish slapping kind of God!)
" I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make rivers in the wilderness." Isaiah 43:19
Then, while having family devotions, our kids ran to grab their pennies and loose change. "There! Now we can bring Toby home!!"
Oh, the precious faith of a child!!
Then yesterday I got a private message on Facebook. My friend's son read the last post with his mom and was asking good questions. "Why does it cost money to give a child a family?" "I want to adopt too!" "How can you hear God call you to do something?" Then, he came and gave her all his money to help bring Toby home.
$4.
I can assure you that those four dollars given in faith have BALLOONED into what we are seeing now in our Adopt Together account!!
Then, as today began, God filled me with faith. I had not a hint of wavering. I KNEW that God would do it. And as I am learning, faith is not something we conjure up, but it is a gift of God. (See Romans 12:3.)
Yesterday afternoon, I was also reminded by my friend that we didn't need the money THURSDAY, we needed it FRIDAY. That I should hold on and see what God did FRIDAY. God then put double rainbows in the sky that night. One for her, one for me. :) God's so cool like that!
Then this afternoon, as I was watching all these donations come in and fill up the need, one story in particular brought me to tears. Three siblings gave from their jars. Then their lovely mother messaged me the story:
This morning on the way to bball camp we prayed, asking God to show us what we could do to help orphans today.Came home, saw your post, told Zoë. She said, "I'll give $5 to help that baby." then we remembered the jars they keep tithes and savings in. She decided to empty hers for Toby.
Greta saw what was going on. I told her about baby Toby in China who needs to come home to his family and needs doctors and medicine. Greta said, "give him my money jars, too."
After Caleb's playdate I told him about it and he didn't want to participate because he's saving for a science kit. Then he saw the girls' jars and said, "ok, I'll give everything in my jar, including my 8 gold coins from the tooth fairy."
So it's not much, but $57.45 was every cent the kids had. Their compassion speaks to my soul.
I thought you might like to hear these incredible God stories so YOU can have YOUR faith built up and encouraged like mine has been. (I Thessalonians 5:11)
God has taken these "loaves and fish" of these children and turned it into $1,736!! Nope, just got another donation! Now we are at $1,836! (We had some cash given to us today as well...so it is not reflected in the amount on the Adopt Together page.) And truth be told, I have to keep changing this number as I type because the money keeps on coming!!! HALLELUJAH!
God is bringing our Toby home!! And using adorable children and precious adults to do it!
Yahooooo!!! :)
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Spill the Beans...the Back Story!
So, this is the post so many have been asking for. My inbox is full of requests to know the BEHIND story of how we are adopting again! ...And from China! ...And a BOY!
Go get a tall glass of lemonade and sit for a spell. I love to tell a good story!
You may remember this post about my heart aching and me not knowing what to do about it, yes?
It was mid April, Zeb's adoption had finalized at the beginning of the month yet I was beside myself. I couldn't do ANYTHING but think of the millions and millions of waiting orphans around the United States and the world.
I would do everything I could to think about OTHER things--summer schedules, house updates we want to accomplish, gardening--but I simply could not get it off my heart!
Waiting orphans.
Children waiting in cribs.
Special Needs Children.
Teenage Children about to age out but longing for a mom and a dad.
All of them: Alone.
My conversations with friends would turn to my burden for these children. I would literally cry out to God to allow this burden to be productive. "Use me, Lord!" I would beg. One friend prayed for me to find a way to unite all the waiting children of the world with families! I was shaking in my shoes about that request but if God wants to use me, then I'll DO IT!
This was not a self-manufactured burden, it was clearly from the Lord.
And it was driving me insane!
It would seem as though God was doing SOMETHING...
I was becoming an addict. My vice? Spending hours late into the night looking through waiting children lists. I would email my dear Brian with different children. It got to the point that he wasn't reading them anymore, I got creative and stopped using the child's name in the subject and instead writing something to the effect of "you hot, sexy thing!" That would make him open the email! ;) Ha ha!
After a string of nights in bed sobbing for these children, Brian told me he wanted me to STOP looking.
"We are not going to adopt now anyway. Zareb is still working at fitting in."
Sigh.
Okay.
I tried. I really did.
Then on a Sunday I had a conversation with a friend at church. I just belched out my whole story of how my heart was breaking for children I didn't know and that I wanted to be a family for one of these forsaken ones. I remember distinctly her husband asking me incredulously, "Really? You mean you actually WANT a child with special needs???"
My face lit up!
"Yes! Yes I do! I want to love on a child who has been rejected because of their needs."
I think the dear man thought I was literally out of my mind.
Perhaps Iwas am.
All along I have followed another blog called Ni Hao Y'all. The author is a mutual friend of two of my friends who run Wild Olive Tees. I've never met her, but I am inexplicably drawn to her blog. I adore her pictures of her sweet children. Looking back now, I can see God using it to place a specific hunger in my heart for Chinese orphans.
Then I began texting my dear friend Amie. She too has adopted from China. Six times in fact! I began just asking her general question about how in the world to start such a process. She gave me great advice...but Brian really wasn't on board.
Remember, he said we weren't adopting yet. It was too soon!
And sometime along the way I was crying over the orphans waiting here in America. I begged Brian to adopt a 11 yr old African American boy. He is AD-OR-ABLE. He let me pursue it to a point, but then pulled me back when things got serious. He said it just wasn't a smart idea to usurp Jensi as oldest at this time. Yeah, I know. But I would STILL love for him to get a family, so if YOU have an ache in your heart, please go watch this video about the adorable Omar!
Ok, back to the story!
Now let me tell you a really cool thing about my husband: He is ALWAYS willing to do whatever God tells him to. Because of this, he lets me go about my many children that I am drawn to. But one day, it was different.
I was not on waiting children lists.
I was not even at the computer for the purpose of children.
I was simply reading a blog I love and it was a harmless post about a day trip they had with another family. She had a link to the other family, so I clicked. This blog also talked about their fun day trip. But there was another link to another friend of hers that I clicked on.
And then it happened.
I saw him.
I wasn't looking, but there he was, looking back at me.
Cuuuteness!!!
And then I read the story. He and I share the same birthday!
My heart did a flip flop!
I read about his special needs and read that they were looking earnestly for his family.
But the posts were back dated to December and January. Certainly this gorgeous child had a family snatch him up by now!
I wrote to the blog author just to be sure.
No.
And it turns out, he was waiting for...US!!!
I shared the entire story (and his full file!) with Brian that night. He didn't turn a deaf ear, but listened with an open heart. He said, "*We can knock on this door with a feather," meaning God had to do some HUGE door opening to confirm that this was really right.
And God did.
Fast forward this story through paperwork to our adoption agency and background checks, visits to the doctor and filing an official Letter of Intent with the Chinese government and 7 days later we hear:
China has said YES!!!
We are now the family for this precious child who was waiting a long, long time to be chosen! He had been advocated for on many blogs and social media, and over 1,200 people clicked on his picture and read about him, but we didn't see it.
I think we weren't ready.
But then God prepared my heart, gave me a willing husband and away we go!
So now, after having just finished paying off Zeb's adoption in April, we begin again.
And the reality is, we need help. We cannot fund this adoption out of pocket. (Not many people can!)
We have partnered with Adopt Together, a non-profit organization that acts as a holding place for funds raised for family's adoption needs. When donors give, they receive a tax-deductible receipt and 100% of their gift goes to the family. We have opened our page with them and you can visit by clicking here.
We are waiting on the Lord to bring Toby home and trusting in Him to fund it! We would be honored if you would choose to become part of Toby's story by supporting us in prayer, encouragement and/or financial support.
As always, we love to hear your comments and feedback and will answer any questions you may have!
And so, this is where the story is to this point! Stay tuned for more!
Go get a tall glass of lemonade and sit for a spell. I love to tell a good story!
You may remember this post about my heart aching and me not knowing what to do about it, yes?
It was mid April, Zeb's adoption had finalized at the beginning of the month yet I was beside myself. I couldn't do ANYTHING but think of the millions and millions of waiting orphans around the United States and the world.
I would do everything I could to think about OTHER things--summer schedules, house updates we want to accomplish, gardening--but I simply could not get it off my heart!
Waiting orphans.
Children waiting in cribs.
Special Needs Children.
Teenage Children about to age out but longing for a mom and a dad.
All of them: Alone.
My conversations with friends would turn to my burden for these children. I would literally cry out to God to allow this burden to be productive. "Use me, Lord!" I would beg. One friend prayed for me to find a way to unite all the waiting children of the world with families! I was shaking in my shoes about that request but if God wants to use me, then I'll DO IT!
This was not a self-manufactured burden, it was clearly from the Lord.
And it was driving me insane!
It would seem as though God was doing SOMETHING...
I was becoming an addict. My vice? Spending hours late into the night looking through waiting children lists. I would email my dear Brian with different children. It got to the point that he wasn't reading them anymore, I got creative and stopped using the child's name in the subject and instead writing something to the effect of "you hot, sexy thing!" That would make him open the email! ;) Ha ha!
After a string of nights in bed sobbing for these children, Brian told me he wanted me to STOP looking.
"We are not going to adopt now anyway. Zareb is still working at fitting in."
Sigh.
Okay.
I tried. I really did.
Then on a Sunday I had a conversation with a friend at church. I just belched out my whole story of how my heart was breaking for children I didn't know and that I wanted to be a family for one of these forsaken ones. I remember distinctly her husband asking me incredulously, "Really? You mean you actually WANT a child with special needs???"
My face lit up!
"Yes! Yes I do! I want to love on a child who has been rejected because of their needs."
I think the dear man thought I was literally out of my mind.
Perhaps I
All along I have followed another blog called Ni Hao Y'all. The author is a mutual friend of two of my friends who run Wild Olive Tees. I've never met her, but I am inexplicably drawn to her blog. I adore her pictures of her sweet children. Looking back now, I can see God using it to place a specific hunger in my heart for Chinese orphans.
Then I began texting my dear friend Amie. She too has adopted from China. Six times in fact! I began just asking her general question about how in the world to start such a process. She gave me great advice...but Brian really wasn't on board.
Remember, he said we weren't adopting yet. It was too soon!
And sometime along the way I was crying over the orphans waiting here in America. I begged Brian to adopt a 11 yr old African American boy. He is AD-OR-ABLE. He let me pursue it to a point, but then pulled me back when things got serious. He said it just wasn't a smart idea to usurp Jensi as oldest at this time. Yeah, I know. But I would STILL love for him to get a family, so if YOU have an ache in your heart, please go watch this video about the adorable Omar!
Ok, back to the story!
Now let me tell you a really cool thing about my husband: He is ALWAYS willing to do whatever God tells him to. Because of this, he lets me go about my many children that I am drawn to. But one day, it was different.
I was not on waiting children lists.
I was not even at the computer for the purpose of children.
I was simply reading a blog I love and it was a harmless post about a day trip they had with another family. She had a link to the other family, so I clicked. This blog also talked about their fun day trip. But there was another link to another friend of hers that I clicked on.
And then it happened.
I saw him.
I wasn't looking, but there he was, looking back at me.
 |
| "Are you my Mommy?" |
And then I read the story. He and I share the same birthday!
My heart did a flip flop!
I read about his special needs and read that they were looking earnestly for his family.
But the posts were back dated to December and January. Certainly this gorgeous child had a family snatch him up by now!
I wrote to the blog author just to be sure.
No.
He was STILL WAITING.
And it turns out, he was waiting for...US!!!
I shared the entire story (and his full file!) with Brian that night. He didn't turn a deaf ear, but listened with an open heart. He said, "*We can knock on this door with a feather," meaning God had to do some HUGE door opening to confirm that this was really right.
And God did.
Fast forward this story through paperwork to our adoption agency and background checks, visits to the doctor and filing an official Letter of Intent with the Chinese government and 7 days later we hear:
China has said YES!!!
We are now the family for this precious child who was waiting a long, long time to be chosen! He had been advocated for on many blogs and social media, and over 1,200 people clicked on his picture and read about him, but we didn't see it.
I think we weren't ready.
But then God prepared my heart, gave me a willing husband and away we go!
So now, after having just finished paying off Zeb's adoption in April, we begin again.
And the reality is, we need help. We cannot fund this adoption out of pocket. (Not many people can!)
We have partnered with Adopt Together, a non-profit organization that acts as a holding place for funds raised for family's adoption needs. When donors give, they receive a tax-deductible receipt and 100% of their gift goes to the family. We have opened our page with them and you can visit by clicking here.
We are waiting on the Lord to bring Toby home and trusting in Him to fund it! We would be honored if you would choose to become part of Toby's story by supporting us in prayer, encouragement and/or financial support.
As always, we love to hear your comments and feedback and will answer any questions you may have!
And so, this is where the story is to this point! Stay tuned for more!
*{I foresee this "feather knocking" phrase as a very cool future catch phrase! I suggest we all start using it! ;)}
*If you are interested in reading about us finding Toby from the blogger who advocated his story, you can click here as she tells it from her perspective!
Monday, June 11, 2012
More Blessed to Give...
Know who these sweet girls are?
Two precious gals in my life!
One is Lara, a well-known blogger and momma to one of Zeb's former orphanage-mates. A dear boy named Ambrose whom I hope we can see again soon someday!
The other is Rebecca, a precious ten year old orphan, formerly living in one of the children prisons that Sixty Feet serves.
Lara just posted this picture on my wall all the way from Uganda!
Rebecca has been "ours" for about 6 months now. We sponsor her through the work that Lara does for Sixty Feet. Rebecca's story is not mine to share here but she has been a great delight in our life. We have her picture up and our kids love to pray for her and write her letters. We sent a bundle of pictures over to her and we were so happy to receive pictures hand drawn and letters back to us.
This precious life is changed because of the work that Sixty Feet does...and I want you to know that our giving to support her is really a BIG deal to her, but it is OUR BLESSING that is greater.
Lara told me today that Rebecca clung to her all day long today and told her repeatedly how she prays for us.
Prayer.
Honestly, there is no more powerful force. Hailing the Lord Almighty, this dear child cries out on our behalf.
That moves me.
Amazes me.
Soon, she'll be praying for another orphaned child in China. A little one we are working to bring home. She doesn't know about him now, but she will soon, and I am sure, she will ask for God to open doors and provide the funding.
We may give to her, but truly, WE are the truly blessed ones!
Tis more sweet to give than to receive!!!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Another cramp in my heart...Alea
I'm short on time...but that's probably EXACTLY what the priest and the Levite said when they passed the bloodied man on the path.
I want to be the Samaritan who stops.
I saw this angel's face tonight in a blog post:
And it stopped my heart.
I read her story, and I felt that familiar cramp in my heart.
Do you know the one?
Ache...cramp...
"Lord, this child needs a family! This child needs Your touch! She needs a MIRACLE!!!"
Then I went upstairs to read to my children their nightly Bible story. Guess what it was?
The Good Samaritan.
If you don't remember, a guy gets sacked, robbed and left for dead. Two people who were EXPECTED to help, walked around him.
They were too busy.
It was the Samaritan (who was the sworn enemy of the man who was so poorly injured) who stopped his life, took the man onto his donkey and paid for his treatment and stay at an inn.
I heard God speak to my heart.
"Alea."
Be her Good Samaritan.
So, because I am in a rush...I beg you to click on the link to read her story. She is in DESPERATE need of a liver transplant in a country where livers do not get donated. (scroll to the bottom where she is listed as in CRITICAL CARE!!)
She needs one NOW. She is going to die without it.
Please.
Let's be her voice of hope.
And be able to sit back and watch what glory God does in her precious little young life!!!
I want to be the Samaritan who stops.
I saw this angel's face tonight in a blog post:
And it stopped my heart.
I read her story, and I felt that familiar cramp in my heart.
Do you know the one?
Ache...cramp...
"Lord, this child needs a family! This child needs Your touch! She needs a MIRACLE!!!"
Then I went upstairs to read to my children their nightly Bible story. Guess what it was?
The Good Samaritan.
If you don't remember, a guy gets sacked, robbed and left for dead. Two people who were EXPECTED to help, walked around him.
They were too busy.
It was the Samaritan (who was the sworn enemy of the man who was so poorly injured) who stopped his life, took the man onto his donkey and paid for his treatment and stay at an inn.
 |
"Alea."
Be her Good Samaritan.
So, because I am in a rush...I beg you to click on the link to read her story. She is in DESPERATE need of a liver transplant in a country where livers do not get donated. (scroll to the bottom where she is listed as in CRITICAL CARE!!)
She needs one NOW. She is going to die without it.
Please.
Let's be her voice of hope.
And be able to sit back and watch what glory God does in her precious little young life!!!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Clickety Click! Clicks for Project Hopeful
Our friends at Project Hopeful do so much GOOD.
They not only adopt and love orphans and travel around the world to serve them...
They EDUCATE.
I must admit, before I found out about them I didn't know that HIV was a manageable disease.
IT IS!!!
Project Hopeful also advocates for orphans who are shunned by society because of their positive status.
There long waiting lists of children who are orphans and sadly are
OVERLOOKED
...simply because they have HIV.
Did you know that it is easier to manage care for an HIV+ child than a child with diabetes?
I sure didn't.
Did you know that it is completely safe to live with a person who has HIV? That there is ZERO risk of infecting others in normal family life?
Did you know that a child who has HIV and is given a chance at life with the advanced medications available now can grow up and live a normal life? They can marry, give birth all without infecting others?
This is great news!!!
This is what I have learned from my friends at Project Hopeful.
In addition to these, Project Hopeful also has something called FIG accounts. This is where people can join Family In the Gap to help families and orphans who are working toward adoption. People can give to Project Hopeful (tax deductible giving) and have their money be assigned to a particular child!
All these reasons and more are why I love Project Hopeful.
I am asking all my readers and friends to click on over to Cultivate Wines and vote for Project Hopeful to be the winner to receive a grant of $50,000.
Winning this grant would mean so much to their mission of Educating, Encouraging, and Enabling families and individuals to advocate for and adopt children with HIV/AIDS and other of the most overlooked children for adoption.
It literally takes seconds to sign in with Facebook and vote for Project Hopeful to win!
They need a vote from you ONCE per DAY until the end of June. Can you go "click" "click" once a day for a few weeks to help save orphans with HIV? I thought so!! ;)
Go click!!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
2nd Annual Cupcake Sale--SUCCESS!
What a perfect day we had!!
Incredibly adorable cupcake kids were all around...and their cute mommas too!
The table was festive and the people were amazing...especially the boys! :)
Grocery shoppers added cupcakes to their stashes...
and a little someone tried to make off with a cupcake!
And another was caught RED HANDED!
How could anyone resist this crew?!
Special thanks to Chief Supermarket in Wauseon for permitting us to be there!
The lemonade was thirst quenching and the cupcakes were undeniably delicious!
See those red raspberry topped cupcakes? They were filled with raspberry too...
BEST CUPCAKE EVER! (thanks, Suzann!)
Friends helped educate the public about the plight of children in Uganda...
And made funny faces at the camera lady...
Bubbles and proper signage were important for the day's success!
Money was lovingly donated and meticulously counted...
and the grand total was $761.21!!! (note overjoyed DQ in the background!)
All our leftover cupcakes were donated to the homeless in downtown Toledo.
What a sweet ending to a great project! See you again next year!!
Our online sales are increasing our amount! Check it out! Yippie!!)
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