Busy making plans!

I'm really excited! I've been busy planning fundraisers for November to benefit Reign.

*As of November 1st, I will begin taking orders for my famous scones. (This is pending a few cross-country shipping trial runs!) I am not 100% sure what flavors I will be offering, but I plan to sell 8 scones for $15 which includes shipping.

*Early November, I will be doing an online auction on Facebook. I have some great items so far, like new baby clothes, gift cards, jewelry, etc. I'll post the link here, so keep an eye out! (And contact me if you'd like to donate anything!)

*November 24th I will be hosting an event at my home! I will have all of my Ava Anderson products out for sampling, (commission from orders placed will go to Reign!) a table of baked goods, and (hopefully) handmade ornaments for sale. I will also be selling raffle tickets for a 'pamper' themed basket full of Ava products and other goodies. There will be refreshments as well.

I pray I can raise the $1,000 for her. But even more than that, I pray for her family to find her. I know she is not forgotten! Sometimes I feel so helpless to do anything to help, but even this small act can make a difference.

A few days ago, we scheduled our first home visit with someone from CT foster/adopt. I am so glad we are moving forward, but I don't think it's really hit me. I am also very unfamiliar with the domestic adoption process, because I have done much more research into international. Although that would still be unfamiliar ground, too! I am just hoping things will go smoothly. And if this isn't the right choice for us, I pray God will close doors!

Will you rise to the challenge?

When God first burdened my heart for orphans, I will admit, it was (and still is) extremely overwhelming. The need is great, so great that it takes my breath away.

It is estimated that there are 153 million orphans worldwide. That is 153 million children that do not have a mom and dad to hold them when they are scared, kiss away their tears, or love and nurture them the way they deserve. That number does not include abandoned and trafficked children. It is staggering, and if it does not bother you, it should. 

These are not numbers...they are faces. 

I believe that once you know,  once you understand, you cannot turn away. If you are a Bible-believing Christian, God commands you to not turn away! 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." - Psalm 82:3

Friends, use this as your call to action! You CAN help, you CAN make a difference! I used to be caught in the lie that unless I can do something big, it doesn't matter. This is simply untrue - every little bit does matter. God sees you and your acts of kindness! And it matters to them. 

It matters to Carol.

It matters to Timothy

It matters to Eva

It matters to Tanner

These children are all in need of Christmas Warriors. As a Christmas Warrior, you commit advocating for your child and raising $1,000 for your his/her adoption fund. The Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree program is their most important fundraiser. Money is the biggest obstacle for families wishing to adopt, so by raising money toward their adoption, you can help alleviate that stress. Advocating for your child also means getting their face out there, so that their mom and dad can see them! Many children have found their adoptive families through this program. It's something small you can do to make a big impact on an orphan's life. (To see a full list of girls in need of a Christmas warrior, click here. For boys, click here. Any child without a green icon next to their name is in need of a warrior.) 

Can you take some time and help the least of these? Then go sign up to be a Christmas warrior...what are you waiting for??? I promise I will do whatever I can to help you raise funds for your child, so please comment below if you decide to take the plunge!

I want to be part of a generation of believers that rises to meet the needs of the fatherless...how about you?

A few updates!

Tonight, Justin and I went to an informational meeting on fostering & adopting in Connecticut. We had been feeling for a few weeks that we should explore all our options, as we haven't been feeling led one way or another. We filled out some information and will be contacted about being certified for pre-adoption. (At this point in our lives, we do not feel it's a good idea to pursue foster care.) It was great because I was able to get all my questions answered (I had a lot!) and we both feel this is the right way to go right now.

I have been doing a lot of fundraiser planning for Reign! I will be hosting an event at my home on November 24th. It will be open-house style, so if you are local, let me know and I will send you an event link from Facebook! I will have my Ava Anderson products out for everyone to sample, a table full of baked goods to buy, hopefully more crafters, and a raffle for a basket full of Ava products and other goodies! This raffle is open to those local and anyone else in the US. 1 ticket is $3, or 5 tickets for $10. ALL commissions and sales will go to Reign's adoption fund!

I am also planning an online auction in early November, so keep an eye out! I am gathering some really great handmade items and gifts, so you can get your holiday shopping done early. If you are interested in donating something for the auction, please contact me!

Because this one matters.

When God burdened us for orphans, we had no idea where He would lead us. We both definitely see adoption in the future, but as we await God's direction, I have been helping to advocate for orphans and donating money when I can. I just cannot bear NOT being a part of helping orphans, and really there are so many ways to help!

So here is my announcement: I have chosen to be a Christmas Warrior for a Reece's Rainbow child. Reece's Rainbow was created to advocate and find families for orphans with Down Syndrome and other special needs. The main way they do that is by raising adoption grants. Every year, they do their Christmas Angel Tree program. It runs from November 1-December 31 and is their most important fundraiser. To be a Christmas Warrior, you choose a child and commit to raising $1,000 for their adoption grant. Money is by far the biggest obstacle for families wishing to adopt, so making funds available can really make a huge difference. When you donate $35 to a child's Angel Tree fund, you will receive an ornament with the child's photo on it. A great gift, and a wonderful reminder of who your donation is helping.

I saw a photo a few weeks ago that broke my heart into pieces. It was one of those photos that stays with you. When I closed my eyes, I saw it. It never left me. So when the child in this photo needed a Christmas Warrior, I stepped up. Because they ALL matter. Every last one.

Meet Reign.

Reign spends her days laying on her back in a crib. Let me rephrase that...she spends her YEARS laying on her back in a crib. Years. Because sweet Reign is 14 years old.

Can you imagine? 14 years of laying there, with no mom or dad coming for her. Alone. Forgotten.

But she is not forgotten! I am determined to do my part to raise funds and advocate on her behalf. Maybe, if we spread her information and photos around, her mama and daddy will see her. And come for her.

Reign has cerebral palsy. There is no knowing whether or not she is a prisoner in her body. She may not even be mentally delayed! There are therapies here in the US that could help her. She could learn to communicate in some way. She would be cuddled, kissed, touched, loved. All the things every child deserves.

Fundraising officially begins November 1st. I am brainstorming ideas for how to get this sweet girl's grant higher. I am hoping to do an online auction, so if anyone has anything to donate, or services to donate, please contact me. In the meantime, please keep Reign in your prayers, and search your heart! I am hoping you will consider joining me in raising her grant!

Sparrow Adoption Auction

If you know anything about adoption, particularly international adoption, one of the biggest obstacles is MONEY. The cost of adoption is daunting!

I try to help out when I can, and one way to do that is by shopping adoption auctions. If you have gifts to by for birthdays, Christmas, etc. consider checking out this auction to benefit 4 adoptive families.

https://www.facebook.com/SparrowAdoptionAuction

They have some awesome stuff so take a look! (I also donated a $25 gift certificate to Ava Anderson Non Toxic!)

Faith to move mountains

  Photo by Len Matthews 

 "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." - Isaiah 43:1-2

There are over 300 Bible verses on the topic of fear, so it's pretty obvious this is something that has always plagued believers. As human beings, we purposely avoid situations that may cause us physical or emotional pain. This can be extremely beneficial for us; even life-saving, depending on the situation. But those same instincts can also betray us, and keep us from experiencing the life God desires for us.

Being afraid or fearful is often a symptom of a spiritual problem. Fear takes hold when we choose not to trust God. It holds us back from doing His will. It keeps us from taking risks that have the potential to lead to great blessings for ourselves and others.

When we overcome our fears, we can step out in faith. Because faith is when you choose to trust God without knowing what the future holds.

This is where I am right now: stuck in a cycle of fear. I know adoption is going to be hard. Mountains of paperwork, a VERY large sum of money to raise, not to mention creating a bond and attachment with a child who has never had an adult to count on. It's scary!

But it's also worth it.

If we choose to say "no" to God because we fear the process, the pain, the difficulty, we miss the blessings on the other side. We also miss the blessing of the process itself, which can be just as important as the end result. Yes, pain and difficulties included, because without those, why would we ever choose to see our need for God?

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4

Love is not without risk. When Jesus redeemed us, it cost Him His life. 

Yes, the road will be difficult, especially when there are fears to overcome. But if God has called you to it, He will walk with you the entire way. 

And in the end, it will always be worth it.

Incomplete

Two months without a post. I can promise you, it isn't because I've had nothing to say. Actually, I've had tons to say, but just haven't been sure how to say it. I've been so busy it's been difficult to organize my thoughts into words, or to find the time to sit and write.

Justin has been blessed with a lot of overtime work. We will have one of our credit cards paid off by our next paycheck, which is a load off our backs! One more to go. My Ava Anderson business has been successful, and it's nice to be able to contribute toward paying down debt. We've been waiting for God to direct us, so we are trying to keep open minds, and focus on paying things off and then, God willing, saving up for a minivan. Because our car will NOT hold more than 3 car seats across the back.

Lately I have been strongly sensing that we will begin the adoption process sooner rather than later. I've been fighting a lot of fears and anxieties, some are understandable, but ALL are signs of distrust in the Lord. When I think about saving a child through adoption, I feel a peace in my heart. As soon as I started to question things, the fear creeps in. I believe God wants me to step out in faith and truly trust Him. It's something I have struggled with my entire life; trusting.

Every single day, it's in the back of my mind. When I am out and about, I'll have all 3 children in my view, and yet I subconsciously look around for my other kids. This happens ALL THE TIME! It's like my family doesn't feel right without more children. It's the oddest feeling, but for months I've felt like someone is missing. My family doesn't feel complete.

So where are we with adoption? Mentally, we are there. Otherwise, we aren't really anywhere. (I feel like I am writing a Dr. Seuss book!) I hate trying to answer questions when people ask me where we are hoping to adopt from, because we don't know. God knows all of it, and He is only giving us small pieces at a time. I am being patient as I can be. I know His timing is best.

Continued prayer for direction would be great!