A Different Perspective

     I have read many blogs from people who have adopted from Ethiopia. There are many more people adopting from there than I realized. Most of the blogs are stories of the family's journey. They include a time line of there decision to adopt, through to when they bring their little one home to their forever family. They tend to be a mixture of all the happiness that comes with adoption, and the tough things they have warned us about.
   I have read about attachment issues,tantrums,biting,kicking and sleepless nights complete with night terrors. One mom wrote about finding parasites in her daughters butt crack and underwear still after four and a half weeks of arriving home.

   Now, this is not true in every case and much of those things happening depends on the age  and personality of the child. Younger children tend to struggle less with attachment issues, at least that is how the blogs make it seem. I think every child is different, and every adoption story is different. Katy and I have discussed it at length.We know that we will be the ones to bond with them first and establish ourselves as mother and father. The ones who are here for them  forever. That might be a difficult concept for them to grasp at first.

   At least most of the blogs describing these mixed stories of joy and frustration, say that several months into it, the kids mellow out and realize it's not necessary to test the parents to see if they will leave. I know two things for sure. God has orchestrated our family, and this adoption journey. He didn't lead us this far to suddenly not be faithful. He knows He will be glorified in the end. I also know I am ready to bring them home. Hang in there little one, we're coming soon.

                  God has really been working on my heart. I may have mentioned this in another blog, but I'm gonna again. Besides, this blog has become as much a journal for me as it is an "updater" for you. God has shown me that I can, or need to, only depend on Him. When we started this process, I had great expectations for our fundraising. I was so excited to start it and watch the funds roll in. Especially since I have read blog after blog of people having multiple successful fundraisers, raising thousands, yes thousands of dollars for their adoption. They have people in there lives who rally around them and join forces, to get the job done. In most cases, this is because they  recognize that there are 147 million orphans in the world that need help. Not only that, but God calls us to do it.

             We have a few people in our lives that are dear to us. These people understand the enormity of the orphan problem, and the responsibility we have as christians to do something about it. They may not feel called themselves to adopt, but they have really come through for us. Many people we know are "supportive",but I don't think they agree with us adopting for whatever reason.

         I guess my whole point is, except for the few who have really helped and really care about where we are in the process, the fundraising has been really underwhelming, if I may. I realize that people, especially people who have no idea what the cost is or what's involved in the process, don't feel compelled to give. It's easy to shrug it off and figure other people will provide, or they don't have the "extra" money to spend. But what about how often people eat out, or how many Starbucks people buy each week. If someone eats out...say...twice a week. Low end, they may spend $15 dollars each time. Then they go to Starbucks and get a fancy coffee each time. Maybe..$3.50 each. If they just skipped that that week, $37 dollars could go a long way if several people did that.We can't even get people to buy a $10 puzzle piece!
   I know people are in no way obligated to donate money. Maybe my perspective is different. God has been teaching me that He sees the big picture, and less is more. I see people driving huge expensive cars. Not at all trying to even appear to live conservatively. It bothers me...a lot.It bothers me because there are children starving and dying from water born illnesses everyday. It is very worldly and selfish. These are problems that can be fixed.People are choosing  to ignore it. I pray that God would help me be a good steward of the things He has blessed me with.

                   Since, then,you have been raised with Christ                                                                                         set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right
                   hand of God.Set your mind on things above, 
                    not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with 
                                                                  Christ in God.
                                           Colossians 3:1-3.


I know God is going to take care  of everything, because He has said He will. Thank you Lord.

   On a different note, we have moved up one space on each list. Soooo close.

                                                                Brian

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Great news today!! IAN has had our dossier for several days, and said today everything checks out.A little while later, she called and said she had received our homestudy in the mail. I am glad to report that we are officially on the waiting list.

       So what does this mean exactly? Well..it means we wait. Probably for several months. I am expecting to see God do great things in the next few months. I really feel like we are not going to have to wait what others might expect.

    It's not that I think we are anything special, I just think God has other plans. I don't know what they are.(wouldn't that be nice if God just filled us in ahead of time?) All I really know for certain is that we are on the waiting list, and that I trust God. He is in control. I have said it before, and I will say it again. We will praise and glorify God no matter the outcome. Praise Him in the storm.

      So this is where we stand...

1. Baby Girl #42
2. Baby Boy #24
3. Toddler Girl #23
4.  Toddler Boy #14

God's going to great things. Watch and see...                                          

Gettin' Close !!!

So here is an update. We are officially done with our dossier. We actually have one letter of reference to get back yet, but we may mail it on Monday whether we have it or not. God is so good!! This video makes me so anxious to have a little one home forever.Short post today.