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!