Love for the Afflicted

Well, we got through mom's 50th birthday party.  It was a gloomy day outside so we spent the day celebrating indoors...but the real celebration began around 7pm when Jesse made it home (my brother who is currently serving through the Peace Corps in Honduras...we haven't seen him since last June)! 

Here's a small glimpse into the day full of laughter and YUMMY food!

Six of the eight girls were here to celebrate!!! (Missed you Aud, Corliss and the lonely boy, Jerry!)

After the party our family went over to mom and dad's house with Cain, Ally, and Jesse...we sat around giggling at the kiddos wrestling and running around.  It was a night just like any other night hanging out with the familly...a night full of comfort and love.

When I returned home and hopped into bed I was overwhelmed with emotions.  Our children are loved, spoiled, cuddled, safe, carefree children just like most of the children I know.  While we sit and celebrate birthdays and time with family there are MILLIONS of children around the world who have never celebrated a birthday or know what family feels like.  There are children who wait day after day for someone to take them in and for a place to call home.   

My heart just aches and aches for those children. To know we won't have our baby girl in our arms for 1-2 years feels not fair!!  Are we crazy to think this single act of love will make a difference in the world?!?!  God's love for the afflicated is shown over and over again...how can He use us to make a difference?  While I ponder these issues and wonder what more we can do, I can't help but try to be an advocate for those children who fall asleep every night without a mommy or daddy.

I put together a video to show others a small glimpse of what the Bible tells us about caring for orphans and how EVERYONE can make a difference some how (push pause on the playlist before before starting to video):


Bobby and I have no special training for this task before us...all we have is the direction our Father gives us...and someday we will have one more child to roll around with, rock to sleep, and love beyond measure. 

Love from our family to yours!

Exciting and Challenging

We are very excited to announce our acceptance into America World Adoption's Ethiopia program!!!!  We got the phone call yesterday and now have a stack of initial paperwork to get signed and sent off.  After the initial paperwork is processed, the "Paper Pregnancy" will begin (also known as the Dossier --pronounced doss-E-A).  We are excited to start this process but are told it is a time consuming, exciting, overwhelming experience!!!!!

On top of the paperwork side of things we really need to get going on raising funds.  People are SHOCKED when we tell them the costs of international adoption range from about 25-40K!!!!  Our adoption will probably land around 30-35K.  Intimidating.....YES.  Challenging....YES.  Do we have those funds just sitting around....NO.  BUT, we know this is all in God's hands and we hope to find some fun ways to raise money, along with donations that others feel led to give. 

I've heard from people in the past that they feel people shouldn't adopt if they don't have the money.  Honestly, this erks me beyond belief.  The Bible clearly states we should care for orphans (there are numerous verses in the Bible relating to orphans and the fatherless!!!).  Everyone can help in some way....weather it's through prayer, financial support, foster care, adoption, etc!  The need to care for orphans is ASTOUNDING and to answer the cry is doable for everyone in some way or another.

Here is a link to show where our 30-35K will go:
Ethiopian adoption costs

This week I ask that you pray specifically for our fundraising efforts.  This past weekend our basement flooded and we had to rip out all the carpet and move everything out.  What perfect timing....Bobby's busiest time of the year (therefore we will have no basement or garage for a couple of months) and right when we are trying to save money toward our new "baby" girl.  All I can do at this point is chuckle.  I've been questioning God lately and the possibility of raising $15,000-$20,000....and He threw this our way.  I know it's just a fork in the road to see how we can handle things and to prove His power in all situations.  We truly believe that the funds will come and that He will play His part in this process He has called us to.

We are trying to come up with a fun, wearable saying for t-shirts....if you have a good idea, we'd LOVE to hear it!!!!!!  We plan on selling shirts and Ethiopian coffee, and will possibly do other fundraising efforts as they come available and are needed! 

Thank you EVERYONE for your support you've shown already....your thoughts and prayers are felt!

We're off to a play date and then planning for my mom's 50th and Owen's 1st birthday parties!!!!!!  My brother Jesse will be in town Sunday night and I haven't seen him for a year....you can only imagine the excitement in this house!!!!!!!!!!!!


Love from our family to yours!