I800 Approval!

Choose to SEE!

I am almost finished reading Mary Beth Chapman's book, Choosing to See. Of course as an adoptive parent, I am ravenous for true stories of adoption. I remember watching the news in 2008, when I learned that Maria Sue Chapman had been killed in a tragic accident. My heart grieved for this family. I remember praying with our children that God would protect and heal the Chapman family. To be able to read Mary Beth's book is an opportunity to see how God worked through this family. Maria Sue was just one of millions of orphans in this world--but she found something many children never do--a loving home. She only lived for five short years, but brought so much life and hope to her family in that short time.

I think about how many times I get asked, "Why are you adopting again?" by family and friends. The answer is so simple that it amazes me how many people don't get it--because there are children who need a home! Children who are fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. Children who won't learn about Jesus or His love for their precious little life, unless they are given a family.

We are ALL orphans! God has adopted us into His family. We didn't do anything to deserve this blessing, yet He gives it to us unconditionally.

How can we be so selfish? How can we NOT help these children. If you feel called to adopt--step out in faith and pray about it. If you want to help, but don't feel called to adopt, then help someone who does want to adopt. Donate time, money, prayers, hugs. If you don't know someone who is adopting, Google it! You will find tons of agencies and foundations that will be happy to give you a tax deduction in exchange for a small donation. The money raised goes to help people adopt, to care for orphans waiting for homes, and to help pay for medical care for the children who have no families.

How would you feel if you sat alone in a crib all day with no one to hug you, or smile at you, or tell you that you're special? Some of the children did know love once, but for one reason or another they were abandoned, or relinquised to orphanages. They need to know they are loved and are precious to someone. So if you can find room in your heart, please consider adoption.

Sorry--but I really had to vent! And since no one reads this but me, I figure I can vent anything I want to.

And a picture of our crazy kiddos:

Orientation Packet!

After two months of fundraising, as well as wavering between agencies, we received our welcome packet today from All God's Children! I tore open the package and saw this little girl's face; I melted. My heart cried out with joy because I realized LilyBeth is no longer just a figment of my imagination: She's so real! In fact, she's already born and living in an orphanage in China. Oh how great is our God!

Now we need to finish up the homestudy--which should be done in a week or two, send in the orientation paperwork and the fee (ugh!), then we will officially be swamped with work to bring her home. Can you believe it? I'm in awe of God's wonder.

After adopting twice already, I have no fairy-tale images of how this process will go. I know it will be hard, expensive, and emotionally draining. But I also know that God has brought us this far already and whatever His plans are for LilyBeth, we will support it.

Please pray for us to finish raising the funds. Adoption is very expensive, and although you get much of it back in tax credits, you still have to have it to move forward. I welcome any fundraising suggestions.

Fundraising and Update

So our spaghetti supper was a huge hit! God has blessed us with amazing friends! We were hoping to make about $1,000 but ended up making $2,000! God is so good!

I am mailing off the next big batch of cookbooks today and am so happy to see the pile dwindling down. If you ordered one and haven't gotten it yet, it's going out today. If you haven't ordered one yet, please click on the donate button to your left.

An update on our girls: Ruby and Asia are now in a new foster home. We tried to help the girls, but with so many kids needing our attention, we felt the girls needed to be in a place where they didn't have to share my attention and could get the therapy the needed. We love them and can't wait to see them again!

Now I'm trying to come up with some more fundraising ideas. Any suggestions?