I mentioned that $1 from every t-shirt we sell will be donated to Kind Hearts Care Point in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This donation will go specifically toward playground equipment (total needed is $2850).
Karen Winstrom is the Sponsor Coordinator for Kind Hearts--here is her blog so you can "meet" some of these precious children. Our family sponsors a little boy at Kind Hearts through Children's HopeChest.
www.family-from-afar.blogspot.com
There are several capital campaigns underway for Kind Hearts, one being uniforms for all the children. If you would like to donate, please go to the HopeChest website at www.hopechest.org, click on Give. Specify a $19 donation and specify ET2110 UNIFORMS in the "Notes/Child Reference Number field". Be sure to clearly specify "ET2110 UNIFORMS" so that the money goes to the Kind Hearts school uniform fund.
I'm sure you noticed how dirty and tattered the children's clothing was in the recent photos shared by Becky Burk. Most children that attend school in Ethiopia wear school uniforms - clothing that is specifically worn for school. Education is so important to Ethiopians and those uniforms signify that your child is a student (an honored and respected title - student).
Our kids at Kind Hearts cannot afford uniforms - but WE can provide them! $19 will cover the cost of a Kind Hearts school uniform for one child - a matching pair of pants, a shirt and a jacket in a quality fabric. I'd like to fully fund school uniforms for the kids in the next 2 weeks.
I hope you will follow Karen's blog -- but I'll also keep you posted about KH's projects!
2.23.2010
2.20.2010
need to clean the kitchen...but...would rather blog
One year ago, today, we received news from our agency that we had passed court: our request to adopt Micah was granted by the Ethiopian courts. Many of you remember how agonizing Feb 2009 was for Vince and me.
To read my court posts from Feb 2009 click here.
This was one of my favorite posts to reminisce...God is, indeed, this faithful:
2.12.2009
from Psalm 49,
Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?
verse 3..."My mouth shall speak wisdom"-- even when the outcome of my circumstances is undetermined, and even when the desires of my heart are delayed, I will seek to make sense of it all only by God's wisdom
..."the meditation of my heart shall be understanding"-- I will only be satisfied to view my life through God's eyes...I will rest in God's promises
verse 4..."I will incline my ear to a proverb"-- I will only seek God's counsel and God's comfort, instead of being driven to despair by man's opinion and hopelessness
..."I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre."-- I will chose 'thankfulness' at all times; I will sing and dance as my Heavenly Father sanctifies my faith, because His love is perfect
verse 5..."Why should I fear in times of trouble?" I shouldn't. I am loved by the Father, redeemed by His Son, and protected by His Holy Spirit
It took 4 attempts for our agency and Micah's orphanage to provide all documentation requested by the ET judge who presided over our case. It seemed like with every court date, what the judge originally requested was suddenly insufficient, so she'd ask for something else. In hind-sight we are beyond grateful for this judge's thoroughness, because there is now (or ever) no question about the legitimacy surrounding Micah's orphan-status or adoption. This is especially important to us, in-light of accusations about fraudulent adoptions with another agency. I have confidence in the integrity of our agency, the US Consulate in Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian courts. Each of these agencies conducts independent investigations into each orphan's case.
News about our second adoption is slow-coming. We are still in the home study process -- we are currently waiting for our AL background checks to be completed. Once that part is complete, the process should speed up significantly. We'll have one, last home visit with our social worker, and complete other random paper work.
At this point, I'm not sure what we will do about our existing I-171H approval. It's due to expire in May, so we need to either request an extension, or, apply to open a new case. Our current I-171H will permit us to bring one child home from Ethiopia...but...we are prayerfully considering changing our request to two children. (Boy, will we really need to sell ALOT of t-shirts).
To read my court posts from Feb 2009 click here.
This was one of my favorite posts to reminisce...God is, indeed, this faithful:
2.12.2009
from Psalm 49,
Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?
verse 3..."My mouth shall speak wisdom"-- even when the outcome of my circumstances is undetermined, and even when the desires of my heart are delayed, I will seek to make sense of it all only by God's wisdom
..."the meditation of my heart shall be understanding"-- I will only be satisfied to view my life through God's eyes...I will rest in God's promises
verse 4..."I will incline my ear to a proverb"-- I will only seek God's counsel and God's comfort, instead of being driven to despair by man's opinion and hopelessness
..."I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre."-- I will chose 'thankfulness' at all times; I will sing and dance as my Heavenly Father sanctifies my faith, because His love is perfect
verse 5..."Why should I fear in times of trouble?" I shouldn't. I am loved by the Father, redeemed by His Son, and protected by His Holy Spirit
It took 4 attempts for our agency and Micah's orphanage to provide all documentation requested by the ET judge who presided over our case. It seemed like with every court date, what the judge originally requested was suddenly insufficient, so she'd ask for something else. In hind-sight we are beyond grateful for this judge's thoroughness, because there is now (or ever) no question about the legitimacy surrounding Micah's orphan-status or adoption. This is especially important to us, in-light of accusations about fraudulent adoptions with another agency. I have confidence in the integrity of our agency, the US Consulate in Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian courts. Each of these agencies conducts independent investigations into each orphan's case.
News about our second adoption is slow-coming. We are still in the home study process -- we are currently waiting for our AL background checks to be completed. Once that part is complete, the process should speed up significantly. We'll have one, last home visit with our social worker, and complete other random paper work.
At this point, I'm not sure what we will do about our existing I-171H approval. It's due to expire in May, so we need to either request an extension, or, apply to open a new case. Our current I-171H will permit us to bring one child home from Ethiopia...but...we are prayerfully considering changing our request to two children. (Boy, will we really need to sell ALOT of t-shirts).
2.12.2010
FOR THE LOVE OF MANKIND t-shirts
Help us send our adoption application to Ethiopia,
and support Kind Hearts in Addis Ababa!
UPDATE 2/15/2010:
A big THANK YOU to everyone who pre-ordered Project Martins t-shirts!! We were able to place a BIG order, so we have plenty available for the rest of you!!! I think they might go fast, so order your's today!!!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who pre-ordered Project Martins t-shirts!! We were able to place a BIG order, so we have plenty available for the rest of you!!! I think they might go fast, so order your's today!!!
2.09.2010
T-SHIRTS ARE HERE!!!
Project Martin adoption t-shirts!!
"For The Love of Mankind"
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings- Ps 36:7
$25 suggested donation
($1 from every t-shirt sold will be donated to
Kind Hearts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to help
build a playground and bridge for the children at the facility)
The t-shirt is a men's sized slim-fit.
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
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
(t-shirts designed by Jamie Jo Braner at www.annifororphans.com
2.06.2010
toddler, waddler...duck
Micah turned 18 months on 2/4 -- his check-up was great. Although, he has yet to reach the 50% percentile for height or weight (however, his HC was above-avg...yay for that). Our Dr said this size will probably be the norm for him. But...who really knows.
Micah is SO full of energy! And his vocabulary is expanding daily. Last week our favorite words were "I Love You"! He still goes into what we call 'African Mode': he has an entire conversation with us, yet we have no idea what he's saying. It is seriously another language! His gross motor skills are still developing, so I'm trying to give him more opportunity to climb and practice his balance.
Micah and I met our Ethiopian friend, Suzy, at the park the other day. We had a great time. But of course Micah was totally frustrated because I wouldn't let him pet the ducks. While we were there, a local reporter randomly asked if either myself or Suzy would like to interviewed for our local paper's Just A Chat. I suggested that she interview us both, because we both have interesting stories (not that my life is really oh-so-interesting, but I never want to miss an opp to talk about orphans/adoption).
Suzy, on the other hand, has a very fascinating story...short-version: she grew-up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but had to flee with her sister and family because of a civil war (her parents were in the States at the time--her father was a physician for the Olympics). It took them 3-months (on foot) to escape to Sudan. She came to the US afterward, attended college, and married an Eritrean man. They have two of the most beautiful children I have ever laid eyes on!!
Micah is SO full of energy! And his vocabulary is expanding daily. Last week our favorite words were "I Love You"! He still goes into what we call 'African Mode': he has an entire conversation with us, yet we have no idea what he's saying. It is seriously another language! His gross motor skills are still developing, so I'm trying to give him more opportunity to climb and practice his balance.
Micah and I met our Ethiopian friend, Suzy, at the park the other day. We had a great time. But of course Micah was totally frustrated because I wouldn't let him pet the ducks. While we were there, a local reporter randomly asked if either myself or Suzy would like to interviewed for our local paper's Just A Chat. I suggested that she interview us both, because we both have interesting stories (not that my life is really oh-so-interesting, but I never want to miss an opp to talk about orphans/adoption).
Suzy, on the other hand, has a very fascinating story...short-version: she grew-up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but had to flee with her sister and family because of a civil war (her parents were in the States at the time--her father was a physician for the Olympics). It took them 3-months (on foot) to escape to Sudan. She came to the US afterward, attended college, and married an Eritrean man. They have two of the most beautiful children I have ever laid eyes on!!
watch out duckies...I'm a comin'
hmmm...pants on the ground...or just bustin' a sag
this one is mommy's fav
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