Thought this story was too beautiful not to share! Praying that our story will look something like this!!
The Root of the Problem
5 years ago
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thanksgiving = Thankfulness
Wow, it has been close to 2 months since we last posted. I will try to get better at it...
I have seen a few people make November (the month of Thanksgiving) their month of thankfulness and want to join the bandwagon. I know for me, and probably a lot of people, we get so wrapped up in our situation and our circumstances, that we forget to slow down and reflect on what we are thankful for. So, each day this month, I am going to talk about something I am thankful for.
Since today is the 1st of November, I thought I would talk about what is first in my life that I am thankful for - Jesus. Now, to some that may just seem like the typical Christians' Sunday School answer, but it is true. I have struggled and cried and been depressed and He has helped me through it all!! I don't know where I would be without His constant love and strength to get me through it. Thank you Jesus for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do through me and the world!!
The 1st of November is also the start of National Adoption Month. (I knew I could tie this in). As a Christian, we know that God the Father has adopted us all into His family - another thing we should be thankful for! This Sunday - being the first Sunday of National Adoption Month - is Orphan Sunday. This is a time to look at the orphan situation around the world, around our country and around the block. Now not everyone is called to adopt, but as Christians, we are all called to care for the least of these (including orphans). So, if you don't feel the calling to adopt, you can still care for those down the street or across the earth. You can do this by supporting (emotionally or financially) another family who is adopting or has adopted. Most families have some sort of fundraiser as the cost of adopting is fairly high. If you need some ideas, just let me know, but here are two families close to use who are both adopting from the Congo. Pray about it, talk it over with loved ones, and think about supporting them.
The Kings
They are in the process of adopting a 2 year old boy (Jude). They have a t-shirt fundraiser (the link) or Jacki is sewing like crazy with cute things you can buy to also support them.
The Hallocks
They are in the process of adopting a 4-5 year old girl (Harper Judith). They also have a t-shirt fundraiser.
I have seen a few people make November (the month of Thanksgiving) their month of thankfulness and want to join the bandwagon. I know for me, and probably a lot of people, we get so wrapped up in our situation and our circumstances, that we forget to slow down and reflect on what we are thankful for. So, each day this month, I am going to talk about something I am thankful for.
Since today is the 1st of November, I thought I would talk about what is first in my life that I am thankful for - Jesus. Now, to some that may just seem like the typical Christians' Sunday School answer, but it is true. I have struggled and cried and been depressed and He has helped me through it all!! I don't know where I would be without His constant love and strength to get me through it. Thank you Jesus for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do through me and the world!!
The 1st of November is also the start of National Adoption Month. (I knew I could tie this in). As a Christian, we know that God the Father has adopted us all into His family - another thing we should be thankful for! This Sunday - being the first Sunday of National Adoption Month - is Orphan Sunday. This is a time to look at the orphan situation around the world, around our country and around the block. Now not everyone is called to adopt, but as Christians, we are all called to care for the least of these (including orphans). So, if you don't feel the calling to adopt, you can still care for those down the street or across the earth. You can do this by supporting (emotionally or financially) another family who is adopting or has adopted. Most families have some sort of fundraiser as the cost of adopting is fairly high. If you need some ideas, just let me know, but here are two families close to use who are both adopting from the Congo. Pray about it, talk it over with loved ones, and think about supporting them.
The Kings
They are in the process of adopting a 2 year old boy (Jude). They have a t-shirt fundraiser (the link) or Jacki is sewing like crazy with cute things you can buy to also support them.
The Hallocks
They are in the process of adopting a 4-5 year old girl (Harper Judith). They also have a t-shirt fundraiser.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Officially a "Waiting Family"
Apparently, something I (Michelle) said or did made a lot of people think we have been matched and are very close to baby coming home. Despite how much I would love for that to be the case, it is not true. We have officially finished the application part and are currently an official "Waiting Family" with our agency! What that means is we are in the mix of adoptive families that the birth parents could choose - so technically we could be picked today or any day after. However, the likelihood of sometime soon is quite small at this point.
Despite the fact that we have been essentially waiting for about 18 months, this is the true waiting period. This time is filled with anxious feelings every time the phone rings and not much updates until "the call" is made. The key for the Waiting Family is to "wait well" - keep yourselves busy, get the nursery ready, etc... Luckily for us, we painted our nursery a nice neutral green before we even moved in! (Someone thinking ahead??) Here is the "360 degree" view of the room!
More pictures to come as we also have bought a "cubby" for the room and soon to have the assembled crib!
Thank you all for the encouragement - they are truly a God send! Also, thank you to all our sponsors - we have passed the 20% point! :) Here is the current puzzle:
Much love & God bless!
~m~
Despite the fact that we have been essentially waiting for about 18 months, this is the true waiting period. This time is filled with anxious feelings every time the phone rings and not much updates until "the call" is made. The key for the Waiting Family is to "wait well" - keep yourselves busy, get the nursery ready, etc... Luckily for us, we painted our nursery a nice neutral green before we even moved in! (Someone thinking ahead??) Here is the "360 degree" view of the room!
My lovely paintings that don't quite match but we have no other place for them, haha!
Window and quilt view.
This wall is where the crib will go.
More pictures to come as we also have bought a "cubby" for the room and soon to have the assembled crib!
Thank you all for the encouragement - they are truly a God send! Also, thank you to all our sponsors - we have passed the 20% point! :) Here is the current puzzle:
Much love & God bless!
~m~
Friday, August 10, 2012
With A Little Help From My Friends
Feeling a little more prepared (and maybe less at the same time) now that my friend Shirin donated some baby stuff to our future one! The picture shows just some of what she donated as her precious boy is still using some things. (And all of it would have been too much to fit in my car!)
I am so amazed by friends who encourage us through this journey in so many different ways - random phone calls/emails, donations, cards, etc... It is a strange process that is long (most of the time just waiting with no news/excitement). Those waiting times can be tough, especially if it is longer than your "timetable".
I know God has picked out our precious one already and am so thankful He has that under control! I am also thankful for the little encouragements and friends He has put in my life to help this journey!
~m~
I am so amazed by friends who encourage us through this journey in so many different ways - random phone calls/emails, donations, cards, etc... It is a strange process that is long (most of the time just waiting with no news/excitement). Those waiting times can be tough, especially if it is longer than your "timetable".
I know God has picked out our precious one already and am so thankful He has that under control! I am also thankful for the little encouragements and friends He has put in my life to help this journey!
~m~
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Last 2 Hoops
We got an email earlier this week about another thing they need in order for the homestudy to be complete & approved. (In other words, it is approved except for that). Got that squared away and sent in Friday. Then we received an email Friday evening that they need pictures of the outdoor play areas. (In other words, the front and back yard). Luckily, we have a nice front yard one as we included it in our profile book. However, the back yard will be a little more difficult. We don't have any saved except the ones previous owner put online. Good, right? Well, they had a trampoline which is not allowed for adoptive parents... So just take one now, right? That would be fine, except John is getting the fall garden ready, so things are in disarray right now. And our neighbor's fence blew down about 2 months ago, and they have yet to fix it... Such an easy little thing that is holding us back from being approved (already 2-4 weeks later than we were told).
I guess we better get used to this "hurry up and wait" issue, because I think that is what our lives will be like until kid comes home!
Please pray we can get a good enough picture of the backyard and finally be approved. What a great retirement gift that would be if God granted us that next week!
If you didn't see my facebook post about the adoption credit, please follow this link. As of right now, there are only 18 co-sponsors - none of which are from Texas. I know you are all pretty busy, but I ask you to take 5-10 minutes to call your Senators and Representatives and ask for their support. This would be a HUGE way to get involved with adoption even if you aren't called to adopt! Please join me in advocating for families in the adoption community!!
Hope you had a good week and thank you for your love and support!!
God Bless!
~m~
I guess we better get used to this "hurry up and wait" issue, because I think that is what our lives will be like until kid comes home!
Please pray we can get a good enough picture of the backyard and finally be approved. What a great retirement gift that would be if God granted us that next week!
If you didn't see my facebook post about the adoption credit, please follow this link. As of right now, there are only 18 co-sponsors - none of which are from Texas. I know you are all pretty busy, but I ask you to take 5-10 minutes to call your Senators and Representatives and ask for their support. This would be a HUGE way to get involved with adoption even if you aren't called to adopt! Please join me in advocating for families in the adoption community!!
Hope you had a good week and thank you for your love and support!!
God Bless!
~m~
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Busy, Busy, Busy!
Haven't written a post in a while because we have both been busy! Summer school is 10 hours a day, so I am pooped by the time I come home. (Only 2 more to go!!)
We are still waiting on our homestudy to be approved. She (our caseworker) gave us a timeframe of 4-6 weeks and today marks week #7. We were told on Friday that the head honcho will be getting the study and reviewing. *Fingers crossed!*
Our profile book is printed and in our dining room and our expectant mother letter's rough draft is done. After Thursday, it should be 100% ready!!
A lady I met through RESOLVE (an infertility support group) posted this article on facebook and I really liked it! Hope you do too!
Hopefully you will be hearing from us shortly about our approved homestudy. Then we send in our profile book & letter and officially wait!! :)
We are still waiting on our homestudy to be approved. She (our caseworker) gave us a timeframe of 4-6 weeks and today marks week #7. We were told on Friday that the head honcho will be getting the study and reviewing. *Fingers crossed!*
Our profile book is printed and in our dining room and our expectant mother letter's rough draft is done. After Thursday, it should be 100% ready!!
A lady I met through RESOLVE (an infertility support group) posted this article on facebook and I really liked it! Hope you do too!
Hopefully you will be hearing from us shortly about our approved homestudy. Then we send in our profile book & letter and officially wait!! :)
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