This is very inspiring and speaks to the needs of orphans and the opportunity we have to be reckless in our faith.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
AWAA Associates for Maine.
I am so excited!!! I have seen a need for an international adoption group for quite awhile. A place where people can come together for encouragement, support, prayer and help with paperwork and to get answers to questions relating to international adoptions. I had been praying for almost two years asking the Lord if this was something he wanted me to do or was he calling us to just adopt. In those two years I've had several families approach me with lots of questions regarding international adoptions and asking for some help with their paperwork. I don't have any experience with adoptions only what we went through during our two years of paper chasing and waiting for Noelle, but I was willing if he wanted to use me. I have to say that anyone who has ever adopted and done the paperwork themselves know that you learn A LOT in a relative short amount of time : ) I loved doing all the paperwork involved and love the thoughts of helping other families with theirs....if they need it.
Well this past week AWAA emailed me and asked if we would consider being associates here in Maine.....of course I said YES! Part of our "job" would be holding monthly AWAA meetings, help assist families with paperwork, hold two seminars a year, get the word out about international adoptions and promote AWAA to name a few.
I also want to somehow start raising money to help other families who have the desire to adopt, but may need some financial help. Our church has a wonderful adoption ministry already so I hoping we'll be able to do more in that area. I know not all are called to adopt but we are all called to help orphans and widows (James 1:27). Helping an orphan may be helping a family financially bring a child into a home where he or she will learn about Jesus and how He adopted us as God's children. I really believe this is something more families need to consider and pray about.
So this week we are waiting for the paperwork from AWAA and hope to get started soon!
Mike and I are very excited about the opportunity given to serve as America World Adoption Associates here in Maine!
Well this past week AWAA emailed me and asked if we would consider being associates here in Maine.....of course I said YES! Part of our "job" would be holding monthly AWAA meetings, help assist families with paperwork, hold two seminars a year, get the word out about international adoptions and promote AWAA to name a few.
I also want to somehow start raising money to help other families who have the desire to adopt, but may need some financial help. Our church has a wonderful adoption ministry already so I hoping we'll be able to do more in that area. I know not all are called to adopt but we are all called to help orphans and widows (James 1:27). Helping an orphan may be helping a family financially bring a child into a home where he or she will learn about Jesus and how He adopted us as God's children. I really believe this is something more families need to consider and pray about.
So this week we are waiting for the paperwork from AWAA and hope to get started soon!
Mike and I are very excited about the opportunity given to serve as America World Adoption Associates here in Maine!
Here are a few new pictures.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
The Violetts have been matched!!!!!!!
If you read March 14th post you read about our friends Jason and Patty who had just submitted an application with AWAA for the Ethiopia program. Well, they really felt the Lord was speaking to them about an older child and the age range they gave was 3-15 years. Early this week they got a call from the Ethiopia director and she said they had an 11 year old daughter for them!!!! They are so excited to see how fast the Lord is working this all out. This is an email they sent to their friends. To see their blog click here.
Jason and I are tentatively approved to adopt an 11 year old girl in Ethiopia. The wait is usually around a year but we could go get her home tomorrow if we had everything done. If everything goes right she could be with our family this summer. We have to move Amy's room to the basement, do our home study, dossier and background check. This little girl has been waiting a long time for a family. Please pray that God will prepare her heart to join our family as Ethiopia is the only home she has ever known. Please pray for protection for her until we can bring her home. Please also pray that we can get our paperwork and home study done quickly. Also, we do not have all of the money yet for this adoption, but we know that God will provide. Some of my family are very opposed to this adoption, please pray that God will show His power and might and that this be for His glory. Lastly, give glory to Him for always answering our prayers and for blessing our family with this opportunity.
Jason and I are tentatively approved to adopt an 11 year old girl in Ethiopia. The wait is usually around a year but we could go get her home tomorrow if we had everything done. If everything goes right she could be with our family this summer. We have to move Amy's room to the basement, do our home study, dossier and background check. This little girl has been waiting a long time for a family. Please pray that God will prepare her heart to join our family as Ethiopia is the only home she has ever known. Please pray for protection for her until we can bring her home. Please also pray that we can get our paperwork and home study done quickly. Also, we do not have all of the money yet for this adoption, but we know that God will provide. Some of my family are very opposed to this adoption, please pray that God will show His power and might and that this be for His glory. Lastly, give glory to Him for always answering our prayers and for blessing our family with this opportunity.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad.
...Almighty God
...Almighty God
Friday, March 21, 2008
My last post for today...I'm loving this software!
Here's one more page I made this afternoon. I love this software!
These pictures are of the girls just hanging around. Robin dressed Noelle up and pushed her around the house in her car. Noelle loved it!
Later while doing laundry Noelle decided she wanted to crawl in the basket with the warm clothes....cute!
Robin was working on her homework and Noelle wanted to sit at the table with her and read her Noah book.
Practice
I just got the creative memories storybook plus for my birthday! Thank you honey! I'm trying to figure out how to post picture pages to my blog.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Noelle around the house
Here are a few cute pictures of Noelle today. Excuse her clothes (printed tee shirt under her dress). I didn't plan on taking and posting pictures today.
Trying to get her hands on Rainbow
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Patty & Jason Violette's Website is up and running!
Congratulations on the start of your adoption journey to Mimi!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Love this!
Nicole, I took this from your blog :)
This is on so many others blogs right now, but I thought I would post it here too!
You know you're an adoptive parent (or should be) if:
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life
This is on so many others blogs right now, but I thought I would post it here too!
You know you're an adoptive parent (or should be) if:
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life
Friday, March 14, 2008
OK, I need to post one thing before I go to bed. I got the best email today from a sweet friend from church! I won't go into the whole story right now....I'll leave that to them :) But she sent me an email letting me know that she and her husband are going to adopt a little girl from Ethiopia!!!! They have already submitted an application with America World Adoption Association and should hear back from them next week. So please keep Jason, Patty and their two beautiful girls in your prayers. This is an amazing journey they are about to embark on! I'm so excited to see how the Lord is going to work in and through this family! I talked with Patty today and she said they are starting a blog, so as soon as she gives me the address I'll add them to my side bar under families waiting. Yeah!!!! I'm so happy for you guys!!!!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Gospel of Adoption
I read this and was blown away with these statistics. How sad that there are so many children without a dad and mom, brothers and sisters, grandma's and grandpa's, aunts and uncles.
4 yrs - the average time a child spends in American foster care before being adopted
1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe
12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Carribean
43.4 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa
87.6 million orphans live in Asia
16 million children were orphaned in 2003
Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned as a result of AIDS
800,000 children in the American Foster Care system each year
143 Million orphans in the world
Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but…
Every YEAR 14,050,000 children still grow up as orphans and AGE OUT4 of the system
Every DAY 38,493 children AGE OUT
Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child AGES OUT with no family to belong to and no place to call home
In Ukraine and Russia 10% -15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18.
60% of the girls are lured into prostitution. 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.
Many of these children accept job offers that ultimately result in their being sold as slaves.
Millions of girls are sex slaves today, simply because they were unfortunate enough to grow up as orphans.
497,636 children orphaned since the beginning of 2008
The good news that orphan children need to hear is not only the fact that they will be adopted by a loving family, but also the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross to make it possible for them to become adopted children of God. Our adoption by God is the ultimate expression of His love, and was the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ life on earth and death on the cross. This is truly the Gospel of Adoption, and it is written in Galatians 4:4-5 and John 1:12
If orphan children never experience a family’s love, how can we expect them to comprehend God’s love? Adoption by a Christian family is the best way for orphan children to become adopted children of God. Not all are called to adopt, but anyone can love and minister to orphan children by helping other families adopt.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry "Abby Father." Romans 8:15
Thank you Lord that you didn't turn your head and leave us as orphans but gave your life so we could be adopted as your children! I pray that families that have a heart for adoption will listen to your voice and not be distracted by this world. Help us to be obedient and bring these children into Christ loving homes.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:26-27
4 yrs - the average time a child spends in American foster care before being adopted
1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe
12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Carribean
43.4 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa
87.6 million orphans live in Asia
16 million children were orphaned in 2003
Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned as a result of AIDS
800,000 children in the American Foster Care system each year
143 Million orphans in the world
Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but…
Every YEAR 14,050,000 children still grow up as orphans and AGE OUT4 of the system
Every DAY 38,493 children AGE OUT
Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child AGES OUT with no family to belong to and no place to call home
In Ukraine and Russia 10% -15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18.
60% of the girls are lured into prostitution. 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.
Many of these children accept job offers that ultimately result in their being sold as slaves.
Millions of girls are sex slaves today, simply because they were unfortunate enough to grow up as orphans.
497,636 children orphaned since the beginning of 2008
The good news that orphan children need to hear is not only the fact that they will be adopted by a loving family, but also the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross to make it possible for them to become adopted children of God. Our adoption by God is the ultimate expression of His love, and was the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ life on earth and death on the cross. This is truly the Gospel of Adoption, and it is written in Galatians 4:4-5 and John 1:12
If orphan children never experience a family’s love, how can we expect them to comprehend God’s love? Adoption by a Christian family is the best way for orphan children to become adopted children of God. Not all are called to adopt, but anyone can love and minister to orphan children by helping other families adopt.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry "Abby Father." Romans 8:15
Thank you Lord that you didn't turn your head and leave us as orphans but gave your life so we could be adopted as your children! I pray that families that have a heart for adoption will listen to your voice and not be distracted by this world. Help us to be obedient and bring these children into Christ loving homes.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:26-27
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Clarification of the recognition of foreign adoption
So Angie (travel buddy) brought to my attention that because we both traveled we aren't doing a "re-adopt". We are just going to court to let the judge see our paperwork and say "yep, it's legal, an adoption did occur...now go get a birth certificate." Sorry I used the wrong terminology...thanks Angie : ) This however was still going to cost us 500.00 for the lawyer to fill out and file that paperwork. I believe that they will hand us her new birth certificate in court but I'm not hundred percent sure. I know we are paying the filing fee and the birth certificate fee so we'll see when we get there.
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