"We are not all called to adopt these children into our families.
BUT, we are called to LOOK AT THEM.
Even though it makes our eyes burn,
and be willing to let their needs disrupt our lives."
-Kristing Sqick Wong
"Whatever you're doing, inside of me
It feels like CHAOS, but somehow there's PEACE."
That song by Sanctus Real has become a safe haven for me since starting this journey. Already I can't sleep at night, and I've lost track of the number of times I've wept for my child, and for orphans everywhere.
Sometimes when God gives your heart a passion, He doesn't just give you a little passion. He makes it all consuming.
TeJay and I are both very adamant that God is the one in control, we don't want any of the glory, just Him. Despite our lack of faith at times, we know in the deepest depths of our souls that He is behind this, and that it is for His glory.
We pray for our child daily, we pray for the adoption process itself and of course for our family as a whole to be changed for the better.
More importantly though, we pray that lives are changed and the Gospel is spread throughout our journey, and not just to our future child and our family, but to our city, our Church, and our world.
Like the quote says above, though our very eyes my burn, though our hearts may break, though our souls may feel fatigue, we cannot as children of God ignore the very real need the world has out there. God might not be calling you to adopt a child yourself, but then again, maybe He is. Have you ever asked Him? He might not be calling you to bring a child into your family, but He might be calling you to get involved.
THE NEED is great!!!!
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->UNICEF estimates 130 – 143 million orphans worldwide
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Approximately 15,000 children in
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->If 1 in 6 Christians responded to the call of the orphan we would
ERADICATE the orphan crisis
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->If only 1% of the Christians in America made a choice to adopt 1 child there would be no more children waiting to be adopted in the U.S foster care system, and a million orphaned children from other countries would have a forever family
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->http://www.promise686.org/the-need
These statistics just absolutely blow my mind. If ONE in SIX Christians responded to the call we could ERADICATE the orphan crisis. Could there be a more beautiful image than that? But, as with most things, change doesn't just happen overnight.
It certainly didn't with us. This is now how we used to feel.
If you are anything like me, or at least how I used to be, you change the channel when infomercials come on about starving children.
Ignorance is bliss.
If you are anything like me, or at least how I used to be, than you don’t really even know about the great need children of this world, and this very country have, because knowing and educating yourself would require radical change.
Change is scary.
If you are anything like me, or at least how I used to be, than the thought of adopting a child terrifies you. It literally seems as scary as bringing a serial killer into you home, because you worry about bringing a broken child into your “unbroken” home.
The unknown is scary.
It was and still is for us too, but we refuse to back down to a need God wants us to meet. We refuse to let ignorance be bliss, we will fight for these children.
There are TONS of ways to get involved in helping orphans out, from adopting yourself, to fostering, to helping a family adopt, to donating items, sending prayers to donating time. I don't know who you are, or where in the world you are, but I can promise there are ways to get involved right where you are, right in your hometown.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
-Proverbs 31:8
FINANCES AND PROGRESS:
Our first online auction starts the 28th (mark your calendars!) and we have been so blessed by people making very generous donations of items and services. We are hoping for an excellent turn out!
We have two big financial things coming up here quickly our home study and our adoption fees for our agency. We are looking at $2500 for homestudy fees which is $1000 more than we estimated, and $3200 for the first part of the agency fees. Be praying that God will show us the best ways to get there and continue praying for financial empowerment.
We are expected to sign contracts with our agency Monday the 19th when the first installment of $3200 will be due. Please be praying for us over the weekend.
As soon as the weather stops freezing we will also be listing our boat for sale, which is very bittersweet. If we are able to sell it we will be able to get about 40% of our fees covered from that sale alone, so pray that if its God's will He sends a buyer!!
Other than that things are just starting to roll. We have spent lots of time online and on the phone trying to get things moving and on pace, and we are praying that it is as smooth a road as possible for us as we travel! We are still on the hunt for a homestudy agency, every place we've called has been $1000.00 more than we had planned for in the budget, but we are running out of options as it doesn't seem there are too many people who are able to do them for us.
Our family and friends have been so supportive and for that we are very thankful. The more we talk to people, the more it seems that support isn't always usual during times of adoption which is pretty sad.
A good friend of ours is hosting a fundraising event for us next week on her facebook page (click HERE) where she is donating the proceeds to our adoption. She makes DELICIOUS treats, I know I've had them myself, and she is such a sweet and kind person. Stop by and give her some love and tell her THANKS for supporting us!
OTHER NEWS:
Beautiful baby Eva Grace turns TWO on the 30th! Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with her, longing to see her sweet little face. My oh my how she has changed our hearts and our desires. It might be her birthday coming up, but we are the ones who get the gift having her in our lives everyday. In addition to getting the house prepped for our home-study we are planning her fancy tea party birthday. Its an all girl event and I hope to make some seriously sweet memories from it. I will certainly share pictures after!
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