The Joy of Saying Yes

Aug 16, 2010

One year ago today, we received Daniel's citizenship certificate in the mail.

One year ago, I was overwhelmed with worry, asking God to show me how to parent this little guy. He was resistant to our affections, to our discipline, to English, to every food placed in front of him, to anything new or unfamiliar.

A year later, I'm overwhelmed with love for this little guy.

We sat at the table yesterday as he did homework for the very first time (he was so excited!). He had to draw pictures of 2 items in his house that were circles. He chose to draw an apple and a clock. I then wrote the words on another piece of paper and encouraged him to write them on his paper. He sat with such determination, and quickly & confidently called off the name of each letter as he wrote it with ease.



August 15, 2011

A year later, he's a big kindergartner, speaking fluent English, constantly following his big brother, continually coming to us for hugs and kisses, eating well and growing, learning to read and write, talking about how awesome God is, and repeatedly telling us that He loves us.

I'm thankful that when God led us to this little ball of energy and enthusiasm, we stepped out in faith and said yes. We could have said no, and life might have been easier if we had. But we would have missed out on so much. I can't imagine life without our gremlin. A child who is always smiling and who goes about life filled with joy. A child God has used to teach us countless lessons about our relationship with our Heavenly Father. A child who is fearfully and wonderfully made.

What's stopping you? What's keeping you from saying yes?

May orphan care not be this generation's trendy cause,

but may it become an instinctive action...

and ultimately, an unnecessary effort.

The Boys

Here are some of the pictures of the boys from the orphan care Sunday photo shoot. I honestly don't think the photographer could have captured their personalities much better. You know, it's a shame they don't like the camera...

Orphan Care Sunday

Yesterday was Orphan Care Sunday at our church. It was so exciting to get to focus on the call to care for the fatherless, and I wanted to share a few things with all of you.

First, take a look at these numbers - these reasons...


Next, if you'd like to do something about it, One.27 (Cross Pointe's orphan care ministry) is going to be sharing several ways to do so in the coming days and weeks. A couple of them are already on the website: http://www.one-27.org/

I also wanted to share another video that closed out yesterday's service. You might recognize a couple of the faces - and hopefully it will stir you to action. The faces you see are from church families whose lives have been personally touched by adoption.


Finally, I invite you to join the One.27 facebook page HERE to get the latest info on how to answer the James 1:27 call.

Hope is Fading

About a month ago, I got an email from a lady in another part of the world. She'd seen a picture of Daniel that I posted on an Eastern Europen adoptive families site, announcing the completion of his adoption.

She recognized our boy. She'd been at his orphanage about a year and a half ago, adopting her son. While she was there, our little man would go up to see her, smile, and make contact. They'd made a connection, and he'd made an impression on her. She was so thrilled to know he now has a family.

I can't help but wonder when families like hers came through, did he wonder "when will it be my turn?"

And I can't help but wonder how many others that are still there are thinking the same thing.

Please take a few minutes and watch this video. And pray how you can make a difference in the life of an orphan.


Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

Adoption: Are Christians wearing rose-colored glasses?

I recently read a post by a fellow adoptive mom that I found interesting. Some things were familiar to me, some made me thankful for the progress we've made, some made me hurt for the children whose scars are so deep.

I though some of you might like to read it as well. Check it out HERE.

Adoption is a wonderful thing, but it is not all roses. Thankfully, the resources, support, and reality checks available to adoptive families are increasing. And thankfully, more people are beginning to realize that adoption is not the only way to care for orphans.

I read something else last week about orphan care. Dr. Russell Moore wrote a great piece on his website, talking about the fear that comes with the thought of orphan care. Are you afraid of the idea of an orphan? You can read his piece HERE on orphan care, the Good Samaritan, and loving your neighbor.

94%

If you have just a couple of minutes to spare, please hop on over to read THIS POST from blogger Melanie.

One Less

Saw this on another adoptive family's blog and really enjoyed it. Hope you will too - and I pray that it will cause you to stop and consider how you can make a difference in the life of at least one orphan...

One Less by Matthew West (The Story Behind The Song) from emicmg on Vimeo.

Orphan Care Ministry

If you live anywhere remotely close to Duluth, Georgia, I highly encourage you to attend Cross Pointe Church this Sunday.

(Read CP's blog entry about this HERE).

Johnny Carr is director of church partnerships for Bethany Christian Services and he will be preaching at Cross Pointe this Sunday, at both services (9:30 and 11:00).

This will also be the day that they officially announce the start of Cross Pointe's Orphan Care ministry. For the past few months, a team has been working diligently, seeking God's will for this ministry.

I'm disappointed that we can't be there this Sunday, but we're praying that God uses this as a catalyst for lots of great things to come.

There's also a free lunch afterwards with Johnny Carr & some of our church staff. Check out the following link for more info and to make reservations (http://www.crosspointechurch.com/missions/page_orphancare.htm).

The Land family... and 2 Days... And Orphan Care Ministry

Take a look at the new button to the left - it's now official!  The Land family is seeking to adopt Vera, along with 2 little boys from the same orphanage, Sasha & Niko. 

You can click on the button to make a tax-deductible donation to their adoption fund through Reece's Rainbow.  We praise God for leading this family to these 3 children!

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Just 2 more days until submission.  Can't wait to get word that our facilitator successfully submitted our paperwork!!

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Zack & I are hosting a meeting in our home tonight, regarding beginning an orphan care/adoption ministry at our church.  We've had one preliminary high-level meeting, but this will be our first time to talk specifically about where God wants this to go.  This is something that has been on my heart for quite some time now, and I am so excited to see where He leads us!

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If you haven't already done so, don't forget to click HERE and make a comment for our Blog Roll, just letting us know that you're following along on our journey!