Praying for Dimples...

Well, I wanted to update you now because I'm leaving for TN tomorrow and not sure how long it will be before I have internet access again. Today Shane called and said he had talked with Gladney. Dimples is NOT going to be able to be moved into the Gladney system. I'm not going to state all of their reasons, other than to say that they are good reasons and we respect and trust Gladney. My heart is breaking for this little one. I KNOW God wants to set her in a family... apparently just not ours. While I'm filled with peace in knowing God has a plan... I want to do ALL I can to advocate for this little thing. She is amazing, and if you know ANYONE considering an Ethiopian Adoption who might be interested, please contact me.

In the meanwhile, will you pray that God would give dimples a forever family?

While we sit here.... there's this reality....

"Lord, please rescue me from self-absorption. Ensure my view of the gospel is not one of self-elevation, but of elevating Christ by dying to my selfish wants, what this culture says I need... so that We can give MUCH.... even our very lives away...."

Watch this video of a team visiting Korah... the Trash Dump in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Be changed... and give....

“For of those to whom much is given, much is required” Luke 12:48

about a little girl....

I feel like I need to blog through this... instead of keeping it inside... so the next few days are going to be personal. I don't want to give out too much information, because I can't. However, I can say... there's this little girl... I'm calling her dimples. Dimples is 4 months old, waiting for a family... in Ethiopia. We found out about her through a "friend". ... we weren't looking for her... but her information made way into our inbox. This happens regularly, and usually I don't think twice about it. I just sit and wait for God to prompt me. This time... He did. I called the "organization" that has Dimples and inquired. She is DESPERATELY in need of a family, and has been waiting since birth to be placed and no family has come forward. I explained that we were already deeply into the process with our agency, Gladney. She explained that they would be willing to release her into Gladney's care if Gladney were able to do this! Wow. Didn't think that would happen.... So... I'm writing asking for prayer. She is PERFECT for our family, and we already are "in love" with this sweet little thing. While we know that she may not be ours... we know God has brought her into our lives to pray for and to advocate for. I know she must have a family... and we hope it can be ours. BUT, we always pray for God's BEST in the situation. If Gladney is unable to take her into care, we will not adopt her. BUT if Gladney can (based on paperwork, Ethiopian rules, etc) then we are more than likely going to adopt her. Gladney is willing to try! And for that, I'm so grateful!

Please pray that God's perfect will be done... that we would rest in Him... knowing that if not Dimples, another child. Knowing if not us... another family. We trust God in this. He's got this one covered. I truly believe it.

Please pray.... as we wait to see what God has planned. It will probably take a week or so to find out if this is even possible. There's just something about this little dimpled angel....

heartsick...

Today I finally mustered up the courage to call and check on our fingerprints from the FBI. It is the ONLY thing lacking in our dossier. We have had everything else finished for weeks now.

I know that God's timing is perfect, and He will BE SURE to get our little girl to us... But my heart is still sad.... Because as I wait for those dang prints...there is another side...

She is waiting...in an orphanage somewhere... needing her mommy. My heart starts to be saddened for all the things I'm missing ...Maybe she's sitting up for the first time, or trying a new food... or maybe she is waiting to be found on a side-street... My heart and mind can get wrapped up into all the things that "could be." I just don't want to miss any more time than I have to. I know how it is to "wonder" about the lost time... time that you can't EVER have back... so that is where my sense of urgency comes from. I need her...she needs me. Lord, PLEASE get those prints processed!!

Mistaken Identity....

Well, today was another one of those days where my patience was tested. I get to the county clerks office at 9:30... I have an appointment somewhere else at 10. The reality sets in of how dang stupid it is that I have a speeding ticket... guilt over the financial burden that places on our family... all the meanwhile E is strapped to my back (which he loves), Z and KG are running circles around those silly little "line barriers" with the elastic straps... you know the ones kids are always pulling on, knocking over, etc. I've made it through security..whew. Now all I have to do is pay the ticket and get out before we break something. ha. The guy at the window seems nice enough and starts processing my papers. All the meanwhile the kids are running around, smashing their noses up against the windows, playing with those dang elastic line barriers.... just being kids. After about 10 minutes the guy finally starts to finalize the paperwork.. guilt comes back because I see the dollars leave our account... frustration... blah.. KG then says "Mommy.. I've gotta go.." " Honey you have to hold it for just a minute".... 2 minutes later... "Mommy, I can't hold it." ugh... Look at the guy at the window... he starts to work frantically because HE doesn't want to be the one to clean up a little "accident" in the lobby. I say "See why I was speeding.. I can't get out the door on time...haha" another 2 minutes pass... guy behind glass window (lucky for him)... says... "What are you the community babysitter?" Me... Smile "Nope, they are all mine and they are awesome!" Guy behind window "That's what I thought." ??? Well then idiot, why did you feel the need to ask?

My mind starts to race as I begin to ponder the effects those questions will have on my children when they really understand what the guy is asking. This has happened several times... and I keep thinking "I should be used to this." However, it NEVER feels ok. Yes, I take the opportunity to show how proud I am of the kids. Yes, I take GREAT PRIDE in saying "THEY ARE MINE"... and at the same time, I just want to go out of the house and people assume we are family.... and that I am their mother. I don't want my children to have to endure the questions. And I pray that people will stop "helping themselves to my life" when my children are clearly old enough to understand the conversation.

Ok... so, my thoughts have been "God, what do you want to teach me through this?" And He brought my mind back to Jesus. He got questioned ALL THE TIME on his identity. "Who do men say that I am?" 28 And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Eli'jah; and others one of the prophets." 29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." "So, I thought next time I could respond with his response "Who do you say that I am?" lol. Just kidding. But, people really preferred him to NOT be who he said he was (LORD) because the truth made them concerned, worried, and down right angry. Ultimately, who JESUS said He was caused his death. So, when I'm so concerned about my mistaken identity... I simply smile, speak truth in love, and remember that my identity is in Jesus.... so is my children's... and if Jesus handled all the questions... He will give me grace to do the same.... and let's just hope there's no collateral damage in the process (of the questioner of course...)

Shirts Shirts Shirts... praying for 500 Shirts...

Well, here we are again... desperately waiting on the Lord to do mighty things to get his child into our family! When God said "move" and we agreed... we knew it would be an uphill financial battle. But we trust fully in God's plan. We know He called us to our little girl. We.Just.Know.

You can help... by purchasing a shirt from us within the next 20 days! Half of the proceeds go to our adoption costs. There are a couple of ways you can order.

1. Check out the shirts here and then leave me your order in the comments... mailing the check to us...leave email and we will send you our address.

2. Order online using paypal here.

Enjoy your shirts!

The Why of my Heart....

I've been reading a book called Reckless Faith... it's about a family who moved to Mexico to minister to orphans. Some of the stories are showing off God's mighty defense on behalf of orphans... seeing Him walk them through the worst of situations and grow them up to be mighty adults.... Then there are the stories that leave you asking "God... where are you?" Yet we know He is there. He wants to be present to the orphan through me... and through you. Pure Religion = VISIT orphans and widows. That's the challenge today. VISIT... and be changed.

Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.