Just wanted to let you all know that we recieved another huge blessing. We just recieved a donation that will cover our intire homestudy fee! God is truely blessing us through people willing to follow him. Thanks again to all those who have contributed in ANY way.
Another great thing that happened is we got our State Certification papers back on Friday with no problems (sometimes it can be a difficult process). Now that the holidays are winding down we are excited to get going again. We also got to talk very briefly with the family from our church who just got home with their Ethiopian daughter. It was one of those moments when you feel like you are dreaming. Sometimes it is hard to remember that one day we will really be holding our little baby, but seeing this little girl made it more of a reality. She is beautiful and sounds like she is adjusting well. They said they took a lot of pictures and videos of the orphanage and children so we look forward to seeing those and talking with them about their trip. When we were introduced to the little girl I was filled with joy and peace about what we are doing, it was wonderful!
December 30, 2007
December 29, 2007
Blessings from above
A few days after Christmas Jared and I got a call from a friend-of-a-friend who has been praying about helping us with a fundrasier. She is very talented at quilting, and feels like God has told her to make us a quilt to sell or auction off. She has made several quilts in the past and is donating an antique quilt to us as well. The best part of this blessing is seeing how God is working everything to the good of this plan. It is very humbling to see Him use other people's talents to help us. We should be getting the quilts around the end of January. We will post pics of them on our blog and we might be selling them on Ebay if any of you are interested in bidding on them.
December 21, 2007
(RED)
I just thought I'd let you all know I added a link to www.joinred.com so you could check it out. For those of you who have not heard of it I have posted its description here:
What (RED) Is
(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
What's the meaning of the parentheses or brackets? Well, we call them "the embrace." Each company that becomes (RED) places its logo in this embrace and is then elevated to the power of red. Thus the name -- (PRODUCT)RED.
You, the consumer, can take your purchase to the power of (RED) simply by upgrading your choice. Thus the proposition: (YOU)RED. Be embraced, take your own fine self to the power of (RED). What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!
I just though it would be very fitting to have this link on my page since this is one of the things that inspired me to do something in Africa. Little did I know that it would take me this far. I hope you will all visit the website and see how your purchases could help save lives. The products make great gifts too, perfect for last minuite Christmas shopping.
We sent off our Power of Atourney forms today to get state certified, and other that that the only paperwork for our dossier that we have left is a police clearance... moving right along.
What (RED) Is
(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
What's the meaning of the parentheses or brackets? Well, we call them "the embrace." Each company that becomes (RED) places its logo in this embrace and is then elevated to the power of red. Thus the name -- (PRODUCT)RED.
You, the consumer, can take your purchase to the power of (RED) simply by upgrading your choice. Thus the proposition: (YOU)RED. Be embraced, take your own fine self to the power of (RED). What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!
I just though it would be very fitting to have this link on my page since this is one of the things that inspired me to do something in Africa. Little did I know that it would take me this far. I hope you will all visit the website and see how your purchases could help save lives. The products make great gifts too, perfect for last minuite Christmas shopping.
We sent off our Power of Atourney forms today to get state certified, and other that that the only paperwork for our dossier that we have left is a police clearance... moving right along.
December 16, 2007
Paperwork, blogs, and prayer
We received our dossier packet the day after I blogged last. Since then (Thursday the 6th) I have been working like crazy on all the paperwork. I ordered birth and marriage certificates, found a physician and scheduled physicals, put together a 5 page picture "album", filled out and printed around 15 personal info forms, made copies and sent of many of those to our Social Services agency, and sent off 6 requests for letters of recommendation. So, we are cursing right along. The biggest thing we will be waiting on now is getting some adoption books read and on-line classes done. So far things have been going very smoothly except that Jared’s name was spelled wrong on our marriage certificate. My hope is to have almost all of our paperwork complete by the end of next week. Jared will be home for a few days around Christmas so we are hoping to get at least one book read during this time.
Since we are now “official” AGCI adoptive parents, we have access to an on-line group of other AGCI families. It has been really fun to check out other families’ blogs and see their stories. It is also nice to have such a large support group of people going through the exact same thing at the same time we are. If you get a chance you should check out the new link I posted under our “links” heading called “Another AGCI family’s blog”. This family is selling cute T-shirts to benefit the orphanage that we will be adopting from. Even if you don’t want a shirt their blog is fun to read, and might give a new or better understanding of what we are doing.
We are asking for prayers for a family from our church who is traveling to Ethiopia to pick up their child right now. They will be there for a little over a week to finalize legal stuff and then will return home. Please pray for a safe trip there and back and for the little girl as she connects with her new family. Other prayers that would be appreciated include, prayer for the pregnancy and birth of our little boy if he has not been born yet, and for a safe and healthy first few months of life for him. It is hard to think that we have no control over how he is cared for in the early months, but God does, so please pray for that. Thanks, and we’ll keep you posted on the paperwork process.
Since we are now “official” AGCI adoptive parents, we have access to an on-line group of other AGCI families. It has been really fun to check out other families’ blogs and see their stories. It is also nice to have such a large support group of people going through the exact same thing at the same time we are. If you get a chance you should check out the new link I posted under our “links” heading called “Another AGCI family’s blog”. This family is selling cute T-shirts to benefit the orphanage that we will be adopting from. Even if you don’t want a shirt their blog is fun to read, and might give a new or better understanding of what we are doing.
We are asking for prayers for a family from our church who is traveling to Ethiopia to pick up their child right now. They will be there for a little over a week to finalize legal stuff and then will return home. Please pray for a safe trip there and back and for the little girl as she connects with her new family. Other prayers that would be appreciated include, prayer for the pregnancy and birth of our little boy if he has not been born yet, and for a safe and healthy first few months of life for him. It is hard to think that we have no control over how he is cared for in the early months, but God does, so please pray for that. Thanks, and we’ll keep you posted on the paperwork process.
December 5, 2007
Homestudy Application and Inspiration
We received our homestudy application in the mail yesterday. Looking through all the paperwork and documents to be completed seems very overwhelming. We should also be receiving our dossier packet from AGCI anytime. I'm hoping to be able to get a good jump start on some of the paperwork this week and next before the holidays get too crazy.
I just finished reading a book that came with our adoption packet called The Strength of Mercy by Jan Beazely. This book spoke straight to my heart. It is the story of the adoption that started the whole ministry of All God's Children International. God confirmed over and over through this book that this is what we are supposed to be doing, and that he has done the same work in many other people's lives. Many of the same verses that have given me strength and comfort concerning our adoption were quoted in this book. The way the Lord put the heavy burden of love on the mother's heart was exactly the same as he did for me. It was so great to get a big picture view of the whole process, emotions, trials, ups-and downs, and ultimately a very rewarding journey with God to end in a blessed new family member. I can only hope that our story is as great as that one. I can't wait to see what is in store for us along the way. One of the neatest parts of the book was a letter that the mother wrote telling what God had spoken to her:
"My holy hand of protection hangs over this child. You have been chosen and called for such a time as this. Be persistent and do not be distracted by other people's opinions. Walk in faith believing that I have a plan. I will make a way where there is now way, a path where there is no path. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Will you dare to live dangerously? Will you trust Me completely to do only what will ultimately be the best for you and your family? I see the cries. I will take you a new direction, and many lives will be touched as a direct result of your obedience. Remember, as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Jan Beazely
After reading this book and a blog site of another AGCI couple who just got their daughter in August I'm more than anxious to get started. I just hope I can be patient enough. Keep checking in with us because we should start to have more updates now that the process is moving along.
I just finished reading a book that came with our adoption packet called The Strength of Mercy by Jan Beazely. This book spoke straight to my heart. It is the story of the adoption that started the whole ministry of All God's Children International. God confirmed over and over through this book that this is what we are supposed to be doing, and that he has done the same work in many other people's lives. Many of the same verses that have given me strength and comfort concerning our adoption were quoted in this book. The way the Lord put the heavy burden of love on the mother's heart was exactly the same as he did for me. It was so great to get a big picture view of the whole process, emotions, trials, ups-and downs, and ultimately a very rewarding journey with God to end in a blessed new family member. I can only hope that our story is as great as that one. I can't wait to see what is in store for us along the way. One of the neatest parts of the book was a letter that the mother wrote telling what God had spoken to her:
"My holy hand of protection hangs over this child. You have been chosen and called for such a time as this. Be persistent and do not be distracted by other people's opinions. Walk in faith believing that I have a plan. I will make a way where there is now way, a path where there is no path. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Will you dare to live dangerously? Will you trust Me completely to do only what will ultimately be the best for you and your family? I see the cries. I will take you a new direction, and many lives will be touched as a direct result of your obedience. Remember, as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Jan Beazely
After reading this book and a blog site of another AGCI couple who just got their daughter in August I'm more than anxious to get started. I just hope I can be patient enough. Keep checking in with us because we should start to have more updates now that the process is moving along.
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