what's news?

China? Notta! Baby Judah is still MIA! Although we still feel certain we will be matched with him soon. As usual, the Lord is teaching me valuable lessons as we continue to wait. This time around, He's been dealing with my eagerness to help Him out. Let me explain. I'm always brain-storming ways to raise money for this adoption...t-shirts...loans...garage sales...craft sales...you name it. Because God needs my help to fund this adoption, right? He helps those who help themselves??? Um, no.

God has been showing me that He doesn't need helpers. He's got things quite under control. Does He allow me to help? YES! But is He dependant upon my help? NOPE!

And He isn't just applying this truth to our adoption! Several months ago I posted about an opportunity to travel to Lond*n with Vince/our church. We quickly came to the conclusion that it was going to be impossible -- with pending adoption expenses we knew it would not be wise to spend money on a trip to London. Closed door.

However. Open window. (I know, so cliche') Anyway, God has made a way for Micah & myself to travel with Vince to London!!! Not only did He accomplish this WITHOUT my help, I don't even know how He did it! But, we are thrilled! There are about 10 adults total on the team, inlcuding some girls from our Singles ministry, and another family with young children. Us, mommies, and kids will get to prayer walk and visit area parks and communnity centers, and connect with nannies and English moms!

See (talking to self)! God's not in Heaven looking for pocket change beneath the couch cushions because He's doesn't know how our adoption is going to pan-out!

His riches are limitless!

And my God will supply every need of yours
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19

adoption can be a lonely place for a Christian family

One of the most daunting aspects of adoption is the finances. Most families who set-out to bring a child into their family through adoption barely have enough money to pay the fees to just get started...much less, the looming thousands of dollars that will be necessary to complete the adoption.

Before I go any further, let me say that this post is not a cry for help for our family. The Lord has (and is) been faithful to provide for many of the financial needs for our two adoptions. We were blessed beyond measure to not have debt from Micah's adoption -- but this is not the case for many families. Not that we're special or anything, it's mostly because Vince is a minister -- which makes our adoption journeys more visible to more people.

What this post is, is hopefully an encouragement for you to get involved in a family's adoption journey...financially! Don't know a family who is adopting? I know scores, and would be happy to connect you! But, odds are, if you're apart of a local church, your rub shoulders weekly with families in the process of adopting!

The church can be a lonely place for an adoptive family, especially if their Brothers and Sisters in the Lord are unconcerned and/or disinterested in their family's call to adopt. Adoption is physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially draining -- serving the Lord through adoption is costly! To walk an adoption journey -- to care for orphans in their distress -- without the support of our church family is down-right lonely.

Most often, God calls us to serve Him in ways that seem impossible...maybe it's because He desires to demonstrate that all things are possible with Him! You personally may not feel called to adopt, but won't you consider supporting your Brothers and Sisters who are...and, the children who are waiting for their Forever Families! YOU may very well be apart of God's plan from Eternity Past to unfold those all-things-possible for an adoptive family! What better way to spend your money than to be apart of a child's opportunity to see and hear the Gospel...every day!

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Acts 4:32-35

Adoption T's - RESTOCK!

What's that you say??

Don't have your Love of Mankind adoption t-shirt yet?

We'd LOVE to send you one!

I've restocked sizes & colors, so now's the perfect time to grab you favorite (use paypal button on the right)!

Here's what we have (sizes are men's slim-fit):

GREEN

size medium

TAHITI

size medium & large

INDIGO BLUE (dark)

size small, medium & large

WHITE

size small & medium

happy daddy day!!

As most you know, Vince & I decided to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day a little differently this year. Instead of buying gifts for each other, we put that money toward fundraisers for Kind Hearts and Into The Streets of Ethiopia (ministries is Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). Thank you to all who helped multiply our investment!! Hope your families were as richly blessed as our's has been!

Even though I didn't purchase a gift for Vince, I did make him one (with some left-over supplies I had purchased to decorate Micah's room). A painted-by-yours-truly card on canvas! I even wrote the poem! Boy, am I crafty, or what!!?? (not!)


The poem says:

"Daddy...
God sent you to me
in a land far away
To remind me of His grace
every single day
I see the heart of Jesus
in the things you do and say
Thank you for loving and leading me
and teaching me The Way
God's promises are true
I know He'll prove them--every one
Pray my feet are swift and beautiful
and gorify the Son!"

Yes, I realize I left the "L" out of glorify in the poem above -- if you notice, I did that on the canvas as well. I told Vince that's the beauty of hand-made gifts...full of character...and typo's! ;)

Blessed Father's Day!!!

Not too late to send cards!

I've received a few emails today from people still wanting to make a donation for Father's Day cards --- IT'S NOT TOO LATE! PayPal me your info tonight, and I'll get the cards in the mail tomorrow!
And a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who's participated!! We raised over $600 for Into the Street of Ethiopia!!

celebrate your FATHER...

...by giving hope to children who don't have one!!

It's not too late to make your donation to Into the Streets of Ethiopia in honor of the fathers who have made a difference in your life -- and allow me to mail them a Father's Day card, as tangible evidence celebrating their love and leadership!!

(use the top, right donation button -or- see previous post for details)

Your donation will support education, basic living needs and discipleship for kids living on the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!

No, your donation can't replace the value of having an earthly father, BUT, it will open the door for these children and teens to meet their Heavenly Father!

"...the glory of children is their fathers."
Prov 17:6

How will you celebrate the FATHERS in your life?

Our Kind Hearts playground fundraiser was such a success (THANK YOU!! -- only $325 to go!!) that we've teamed-up with Into The Streets of Ethiopia for a Father's Day card fundraiser! I, again, will donate my time and the materials for the cards! 100% of your donation goes straight to ministering to street kids in Ethiopia! Just provide me the name(s) and address of the recipients! You can use the PayPal donation button on the right to make your donation and provide instructions. I'll mail the cards on Mon, June14th!

The aim of Into the Streets of Ethiopia is to raise financial support, basic living materials and educational needs for street children living in Ethiopia. Improving the child's living standard and provision for education will help to contribute to their future well being and adjustment in society. It is their desire to partner with charitable organizations which serve underprivileged youth in Ethiopia. All funds will be devoted to the cause of helping street children and at risk children in Ethiopia.

Into The Streets of Ethiopia has specifically partnered with a Follower of Jesus and dear friend of many America World families, Robel Alawi (Children's Future Ethiopia), to help realize his dream for a better future for the streets kids of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!

Me, Vince & Robel in Addis Ababa, March 2009.

You can read more about Into the Streets of Ethiopia & Robel Alawi by clicking the link below.