Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Humbled and Truly Grateful
I just wanted to pop in here and extend a rousing "THANK YOU!!!" to all of you who have generously contributed to our giveaway over the past 24 hours! When we stepped out in faith about a month ago and purchased the iPad, our hope was that this giveaway would be the "BIG ONE", so to speak and that we would be completely blown away by the amount that we raised. Well, as it turns out, the numbers are nowhere near what our goal was, but instead of disappointment we are feeling downright EXCITED and ENERGIZED by the love and generosity extended to us over the past day or so. I posted on the Reece's Rainbow yahoo group late yesterday afternoon about our less than stellar results thus far and a fellow RR mom said that she would post about our giveaway on her Facebook (thank you Traci!). Another momma chimed in with advice and tips on how to make our Chip-in more visible (thanks Shanna!). A little stirring of hope began growing in my heart as these sweet ladies began to offer their kind words of encouragement. And that stirring grew to a full-fledged flurry as donations started coming in! My kiddos and I were busy praying and the good Lord was busy moving! I can't tell you how AWESOME it was for me to get to share that experience with my children! To watch their sweet and joyous reactions as God poured out His blessings on us again and again! The memory of last night, watching my children dance and sing praises to the Lord, will stay with me ALWAYS. Although this giveaway may not result in the numbers we were hoping for, it has MORE than increased our faith in God and His Saints. So, THANK YOU again and again to all of y'all for your LOVE extended to us! We are humbled and truly grateful...
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
~ 1 Corinthians 13:13
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Downpour!
We are doin' the Happy Dance around here y'all! We got AMAZING news from our agency, wacap (World Association for Children and Parents), yesterday! They graciously gave us a grant for $5,400.00 toward our adoption expenses!! Just look at that ticker would ya?!! Now, that is a sight for this little momma's sore eyes I'll tell ya!! To say that we are ELATED would be an understatement! I have to admit that the fact that our iPad fundraiser hasn't brought in the numbers that we were hoping for has been pretty discouraging. Hearing about this INCREDIBLE blessing has once again lifted our spirits and restored our energy! God is so good that way. To lift us up when the weariness threatens to start sinking in. Even when my faith is small and I take my eyes off of Him, He continues to faithfully provide. We serve an AMAZING and GRACIOUS God, who LOVES to pour out His blessings on us!
Ok, y'all only a little over $23,000.00 more to go! I know that sounds like a lot, but God is bigger than finances and He is MORE than capable to raise that amount. Remember that our iPad fundraiser is now in it's final week! C'mon folks, you could be the lucky winner of this very cool prize for a donation of only $5!! Not to mention, that you will play an integral part in changing the lives of two little boys forever! Also, we have been blessed to join an AMAZING ministry, Reece's Rainbow, that advocates, helps to match children with Down syndrome with adoptive families, and helps families adopting children with special needs to raise funds for their adoption. They have graciously set up a Family Support Page for us and if you feel led, you can visit their website, http://www.reecesrainbow.org/, and make a tax deductible donation to our adoption fund. You can find our page listed under "New Commitments" or "Compiling Dossier". We would be so very grateful. Thank you to those of you who have donated so far and a SPECIAL thanks to those of you who have helped to spread the word about our efforts! As always, we ask for your continued prayers and support.
In His Grip,
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
~Galatians 6:9
Ok, y'all only a little over $23,000.00 more to go! I know that sounds like a lot, but God is bigger than finances and He is MORE than capable to raise that amount. Remember that our iPad fundraiser is now in it's final week! C'mon folks, you could be the lucky winner of this very cool prize for a donation of only $5!! Not to mention, that you will play an integral part in changing the lives of two little boys forever! Also, we have been blessed to join an AMAZING ministry, Reece's Rainbow, that advocates, helps to match children with Down syndrome with adoptive families, and helps families adopting children with special needs to raise funds for their adoption. They have graciously set up a Family Support Page for us and if you feel led, you can visit their website, http://www.reecesrainbow.org/, and make a tax deductible donation to our adoption fund. You can find our page listed under "New Commitments" or "Compiling Dossier". We would be so very grateful. Thank you to those of you who have donated so far and a SPECIAL thanks to those of you who have helped to spread the word about our efforts! As always, we ask for your continued prayers and support.
In His Grip,
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
~Galatians 6:9
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Keepin' the Faith
Some friends of ours that are adopting from Eastern Europe are in country meeting their little girl for the very first time. Their names are Gus and Ashley. Her name is Baby J. She has beautiful brown hair and eyes and the blessing of an extra chromosome just like their little boy Mason. They have looked forward to this trip for well over a year and we are hoping and praying that their time together is everything that they ever imagined that it would be. I wish I could be there to see their excitement as they lay eyes and hands on their precious angel for the first time!
I know that as they hold, cuddle and play with her they also will be fervently praying over her. Praying that this first visit will lead to another one and then that they will be allowed to bring her home to live with her two brothers and two sisters where she belongs.
That is the norm in these situations but our enemy the devil is busy with an evil scheme and our sweet friends have found themselves smack in the middle of it.
What was meant to be a joyous first meeting will instead be a meeting where an unwanted cloud of uncertainty hovers above.
Unfortunately last week a judge in their daughter's region denied the adoption of another child with Down syndrome to an American family, stating that it would be best if he were to stay in the institution where he is currently residing.
Can you believe that?! I couldn't breathe as I read about the ruling in an email my friend had sent. We have been told that the entire courtroom was in shock when the ruling was read. This sweet boy would have been the first child with DS adopted from that region. The family is filing an appeal, but in the mean time they have had to return to the states without their precious son. I can't even begin to imagine how very difficult that must have been. I read a statement from the mother yesterday and was completely brought to tears by her grace and determination during this very difficult situation. She is holding on to HOPE and clinging to her FAITH and TRUSTING in her GOD to claim victory over what satan has intended for evil!
Y'all PLEASE join with us in prayer about these children and their fates. Children with Down syndrome are considered to have absolutley NO value in that part of the world. This is truly a life and death situation for these precious little ones! Please storm the gates of heaven on behalf of these helpless children!!
In His Grip,
I know that as they hold, cuddle and play with her they also will be fervently praying over her. Praying that this first visit will lead to another one and then that they will be allowed to bring her home to live with her two brothers and two sisters where she belongs.
That is the norm in these situations but our enemy the devil is busy with an evil scheme and our sweet friends have found themselves smack in the middle of it.
What was meant to be a joyous first meeting will instead be a meeting where an unwanted cloud of uncertainty hovers above.
Unfortunately last week a judge in their daughter's region denied the adoption of another child with Down syndrome to an American family, stating that it would be best if he were to stay in the institution where he is currently residing.
Can you believe that?! I couldn't breathe as I read about the ruling in an email my friend had sent. We have been told that the entire courtroom was in shock when the ruling was read. This sweet boy would have been the first child with DS adopted from that region. The family is filing an appeal, but in the mean time they have had to return to the states without their precious son. I can't even begin to imagine how very difficult that must have been. I read a statement from the mother yesterday and was completely brought to tears by her grace and determination during this very difficult situation. She is holding on to HOPE and clinging to her FAITH and TRUSTING in her GOD to claim victory over what satan has intended for evil!
Y'all PLEASE join with us in prayer about these children and their fates. Children with Down syndrome are considered to have absolutley NO value in that part of the world. This is truly a life and death situation for these precious little ones! Please storm the gates of heaven on behalf of these helpless children!!
In His Grip,
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Progress
Tim and I are having the rest of the necessary documents for our dossier notarized tomorrow! Wahoo! After notarization the next step will be sending everything to the Secretary of State in Austin for verification. After verification our paperwork will then be authorized in Houston at the Chinese consulate, and then we will send the whole agglomeration to China!! We are slowly but surely making our way through this "paperchase" and starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel! Praise the good Lord for bringing us this far!
"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies." ~Psalm 57:10
In His Grip,
"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies." ~Psalm 57:10
In His Grip,
Friday, March 4, 2011
iPad Giveaway!!
So, all of you who have been following our blog might have noticed that our fundraising efforts have been a lil' bit on the slow-pokey side of things. Well, we are hoping to shake things up a bit 'round here and get some momentum going! We are SO excited to announce our first giveaway to raise funds for our adoption! We are giving away a 16 GB iPad w/WiFi!! It's easy to enter. Donations made to our adoption fund will enter you for a chance to win this very cool prize! Here is how it works-
$5- 1 entry
$20- 5 entries
$35- 9 entries
$50- 13 entries
$75- 19 entries
$100- 25 entries
$150- 40 entries
Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers about this AWESOME opportunity to win a GREAT prize and contribute to an AMAZING cause as well! Please spread the word about our fundraiser and help us bring our boys home!! One FREE entry will be given to those of you that will post about our giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, website or blog page! Just leave us a comment with your email letting us know and we will make sure that you get your free entry. We will contact the winner by email. The giveaway starts today and ends March 31. We will announce the winner on April 1st!
Before I close, Tim and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our cause so far. We are humbled and incredibly blessed by God's provision and faithfulness. This venture has helped us to look up, draw near, and trust our Savior. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we work to get our sweet boys home. Have a blessed day y'all!!
"For nothing is impossible with God."
~Luke 1:37
In His Grip,
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
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