Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Please Sign Petition
If you are a US citizen, please sign this petition to Congress, urging them to expedite visas for the remaining families. You can also send an email directly through this site to your local representatives with a further option to send a letter.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kick Off!!
September 2010 has now becomeORPHAN’S RANSOM OFFICIAL KICK OFF CAMPAIGN
MONTH!
We are so pleased to announce that Orphan’s Ransom (501c3 nonprofit
organization) is up, running and ready to begin sharing its mission with Christian
fellowships, churches, and organizations. We are praying for ongoing,
monthly sponsorships to be used to award adoption grants that will allow
Christian families to welcome children of God into their families and church
communities, without the costs holding them back.
Unfortunately so many individuals feel that their contributions do not make a difference
because they don’t have a lot to give. Let me be clear in telling you,
that is a lie straight from the enemy! Our family has personally seen how many
people - all giving a little - created a miracle adoption and fully funded our adoption of our little boy from Nepal.
It was this miracle that birthed Orphan's Ransom!
I am writing today with hope that you will prayerfully consider becoming
one of Orphan Ransoms "First 500!" With 500 sponsors all giving a $10 a
week/$40 a month contribution, we can begin giving our first grant/grants in
November 2010. November is National Adoption Awareness Month, and it would be
amazing to award our first grant winners on Adoption Sunday, which is
November 7th this year. If together, we can find 500 Christians willing to hear
God’s heart for the orphan, and willing to be obedient in His call to be part
of this mission beginning Oct. 1, then together, we will bring many
children into their forever families in just one year! YOU, will be
helping these individual children become FREE from the bondage of the ransom
adoption expenses have placed on their lives. YOU will be bringing them into a
loving, Christian home, where they can feel and learn about the love of
God, and the safety of His guidance in their lives.
When you become a monthly supporter in this mission, you will get to see
and hear about real people, real families and real childrens lives you have
changed. All I ask is that you PRAYERFULLY consider what role you may play.
Is God asking you to sponsor these children? Is He asking you to forward
this on to other Christians you know, or actually tell them about it
yourself? If you want more information please visit the website at:
www.OrphansRansom.org or you can also call me any time at 207-825-3511.
Be part of God’s miracles in today’s world. They are going on
all around us, and God uses regular people like you and me to be His hands
and feet if you will only let Him.
Orphan's Ransom board members are not qualified to receive grants.
We want to make that clear. We are just very blessed to be a part of what God has built.
Please join us and watch what God will do.
If you want to become one of our "First 500" email us a message at
info@orphansransom.com and put in the subject line...First 500!
At that point we'll send you a sponsor form and you'll be on our mailing list!
In His love,
Tonya & Mike Davis
MONTH!
We are so pleased to announce that Orphan’s Ransom (501c3 nonprofit
organization) is up, running and ready to begin sharing its mission with Christian
fellowships, churches, and organizations. We are praying for ongoing,
monthly sponsorships to be used to award adoption grants that will allow
Christian families to welcome children of God into their families and church
communities, without the costs holding them back.
Unfortunately so many individuals feel that their contributions do not make a difference
because they don’t have a lot to give. Let me be clear in telling you,
that is a lie straight from the enemy! Our family has personally seen how many
people - all giving a little - created a miracle adoption and fully funded our adoption of our little boy from Nepal.
It was this miracle that birthed Orphan's Ransom!
I am writing today with hope that you will prayerfully consider becoming
one of Orphan Ransoms "First 500!" With 500 sponsors all giving a $10 a
week/$40 a month contribution, we can begin giving our first grant/grants in
November 2010. November is National Adoption Awareness Month, and it would be
amazing to award our first grant winners on Adoption Sunday, which is
November 7th this year. If together, we can find 500 Christians willing to hear
God’s heart for the orphan, and willing to be obedient in His call to be part
of this mission beginning Oct. 1, then together, we will bring many
children into their forever families in just one year! YOU, will be
helping these individual children become FREE from the bondage of the ransom
adoption expenses have placed on their lives. YOU will be bringing them into a
loving, Christian home, where they can feel and learn about the love of
God, and the safety of His guidance in their lives.
When you become a monthly supporter in this mission, you will get to see
and hear about real people, real families and real childrens lives you have
changed. All I ask is that you PRAYERFULLY consider what role you may play.
Is God asking you to sponsor these children? Is He asking you to forward
this on to other Christians you know, or actually tell them about it
yourself? If you want more information please visit the website at:
www.OrphansRansom.org or you can also call me any time at 207-825-3511.
Be part of God’s miracles in today’s world. They are going on
all around us, and God uses regular people like you and me to be His hands
and feet if you will only let Him.
Orphan's Ransom board members are not qualified to receive grants.
We want to make that clear. We are just very blessed to be a part of what God has built.
Please join us and watch what God will do.
If you want to become one of our "First 500" email us a message at
info@orphansransom.com and put in the subject line...First 500!
At that point we'll send you a sponsor form and you'll be on our mailing list!
In His love,
Tonya & Mike Davis
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Hello again!
We have some friends of ours who are just starting the process of adopting a little girl from China!!! We decided to open our blog up in case they want to take a peek :) Most of our blogging is going to be done on our other blog....click HERE to visit.
In case you haven't read our other blog I will fill you in real quick. We have been in the process of adopting a little boy and got a surprise referral on Aug. 2!! Now we sit back and wait for TA. Not sure how long it will be. We have been told it could be as fast as a few weeks or as long as eight plus months. Praying we'll have him home for the holidays and his second birthday!
In case you haven't read our other blog I will fill you in real quick. We have been in the process of adopting a little boy and got a surprise referral on Aug. 2!! Now we sit back and wait for TA. Not sure how long it will be. We have been told it could be as fast as a few weeks or as long as eight plus months. Praying we'll have him home for the holidays and his second birthday!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Could there be some movement in Nepal?
So for some unknown reason I can never find any up to date news about adoptions in Nepal. I do however have a friend who is also adopting from Nepal and she is able to find some! Good to know you Elissa! She had some interesting news to share on her blog today and thought I'd go ahead and copy and paste some of it.
"There are two bits of news coming from official sources today that I may as well report, although I'm still taking them with a grain of salt.
First, Nepal has announced that they will accept the alotted 10 dossiers per agency from April through July of this year.
The timing is interesting in light of what the US Embassy is reporting, that Nepal has told them that they plan to process all 2009 dossiers (that's us) by March of this year. The Embassy adds that they are doubtful that such a large number of matches could be made in such a short period of time, but it proves consistent with the rumors that have been circulating. I'm not sure that makes it any more likely to be true-- an untrue statement that is often repeated is still not true. However, I would be happy if they even started back on the 2009 matches in March and finished them by the following March. So my expectations are rather low, but perhaps more realistic.
I have resisted the temptation to even predict when our referral will arrive, mostly based upon the fact that there is practically zero data on which to base a prediction (unlike China where there were at least monthly referrals that could be counted on). But based on this post from our family blog yesterday, I'd say there's a good chance that we will get a referral this summer and be home with Little Bro in the Fall. But please realize that is based purely on what would be the most ironic timing for me-- not on reality whatsoever, so please don't take it to the bank."
Now see! Wasn't that a nice little glimmer of hope! So we continue to pray the Lord moves mountains and Nepal adoptions will get moving! To read exactly what Elissa posted click here.
"There are two bits of news coming from official sources today that I may as well report, although I'm still taking them with a grain of salt.
First, Nepal has announced that they will accept the alotted 10 dossiers per agency from April through July of this year.
The timing is interesting in light of what the US Embassy is reporting, that Nepal has told them that they plan to process all 2009 dossiers (that's us) by March of this year. The Embassy adds that they are doubtful that such a large number of matches could be made in such a short period of time, but it proves consistent with the rumors that have been circulating. I'm not sure that makes it any more likely to be true-- an untrue statement that is often repeated is still not true. However, I would be happy if they even started back on the 2009 matches in March and finished them by the following March. So my expectations are rather low, but perhaps more realistic.
I have resisted the temptation to even predict when our referral will arrive, mostly based upon the fact that there is practically zero data on which to base a prediction (unlike China where there were at least monthly referrals that could be counted on). But based on this post from our family blog yesterday, I'd say there's a good chance that we will get a referral this summer and be home with Little Bro in the Fall. But please realize that is based purely on what would be the most ironic timing for me-- not on reality whatsoever, so please don't take it to the bank."
Now see! Wasn't that a nice little glimmer of hope! So we continue to pray the Lord moves mountains and Nepal adoptions will get moving! To read exactly what Elissa posted click here.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Jiang Xiao Hong Has A Family!
Many of you have been getting the word out about Jiang Xiao Hong and many of you have expressed an interest in adopting her. It is with great relief that we can let you all know that she has found her family! Thanks to all of you that spread the word of her need. She may never know just how many people worked so hard to help her. And thanks to all of you that expressed an interest in adopting her. There are many more children who need homes. Some about to age out and others with special needs. Please keep them in your prayers also.
Dick and Cheryl Graham
Thursday, January 21, 2010
URGENT!!! This precious girl NEEDS a family ASAP!!
Jiang Xiao Hong - Girl - Asia - April 7, 1996 - Healthy PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 20 January 2010 00:00
JXH is a beautiful girl with delicate features and a shy smile. She will turn 14 on April 7, and on that day will no longer be eligible to have a mom, and dad of her own. She remembers well what it is like to be loved by a family. Upon the death of her birth parents, she was sent to live at the orphanage since there were no other family members to take her in. This was in 2006, so her memories of those days remain strong. Her adjustment to life in the orphanage has been smooth; she is a very likable girl who makes friends easily and follows directions well. JXH has no health issues. She is polite and kind, and shows respect to others. She is liked by her teachers and is a hard worker. She enjoys cartoons for fun, and loves to jump rope. This is her only chance for a family. A couple who are already DTC would be preferred, but if you are willing to work very, very hard you can make this happen even if you are just beginning the process. You must decide now...she is waiting, and time is quickly slipping away.
Bringing Hope to Children
Bringing Hope to Children is the humanitarian work of IAAP
405 James Blvd. 423-658-1559
Signal Mountain, TN 37377 208-692-8805 (fax)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Three Teens Find Families in ONE Week!
Kristina
Jon & Linda
I'm so excited about how the Lord is moving in our little church up here in Maine! He's put adoption and the love of caring for orphans on a lot of hearts!
These three precious teens that I posted on my blog and facebook last week all have families pursuing them! All from Calvary Chapel in Bangor (Orrington really)!
I LOVE how the Lord is moving in so many families to answer the call to adopt!
An update with Kristina...Jon and Linda just heard about Kristina a day or two ago. They thought the Lord may be calling them to adopt her, but didn't have the 750.00 needed to apply to USCIS. They needed the money today and put the need out to all their friends and by 10:00 this morning the Lord provided all the money needed! So now they will apply for their I171H and begin the adoption process! Kristina turns 16 tomorrow! One more day would have been too late! Praise you Jesus for moving on hearts!
Money can never be an excuse to not obey the Lords calling to adopt!
I LOVE how the Lord is moving in so many families to answer the call to adopt!
An update with Kristina...Jon and Linda just heard about Kristina a day or two ago. They thought the Lord may be calling them to adopt her, but didn't have the 750.00 needed to apply to USCIS. They needed the money today and put the need out to all their friends and by 10:00 this morning the Lord provided all the money needed! So now they will apply for their I171H and begin the adoption process! Kristina turns 16 tomorrow! One more day would have been too late! Praise you Jesus for moving on hearts!
Money can never be an excuse to not obey the Lords calling to adopt!
Over three years ago when we started our adoption of Noelle from China I began attending the church's adoption and orphan care ministry. I enjoyed going but at that time we were the only family adopting internationally.
Domestic adoption is so important too, but at the time really wanted to connect with others that were adopting over seas. I began to pray that the Lord would begin to call more families to adopt over seas. Now I can think of two who have children home from Ethiopia one family leaving in less than two weeks to adopt from Ethiopia and now three more all this week have made a decision to adopt teens from the Ukraine! What a blessing!
Domestic adoption is so important too, but at the time really wanted to connect with others that were adopting over seas. I began to pray that the Lord would begin to call more families to adopt over seas. Now I can think of two who have children home from Ethiopia one family leaving in less than two weeks to adopt from Ethiopia and now three more all this week have made a decision to adopt teens from the Ukraine! What a blessing!
Please pray for Irina, Alexander and Kristina that the Lord will begin to prepare their hearts to meet their new families!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
URGENT NEED!!!! REPOST ON YOUR BLOGS PLEASE!!!
I have been asked again to share about an urgent need for a young lady about to "time/age" out of an orphanage!
I'm going to just copy and paste the information that was given to me. PLEASE PRAY AND PASS ALONG!
I'm forwarding this to you because I wonder if (yet again!) you might share this need. This girl has till next month to find a family or she's a homeless 16 year old, and I know that is not what God wants to see happen. So I think if we can get the word out, and be praying, God can use this as a means to get her connected to her parents!
I'm going to just copy and paste the information that was given to me. PLEASE PRAY AND PASS ALONG!
I'm forwarding this to you because I wonder if (yet again!) you might share this need. This girl has till next month to find a family or she's a homeless 16 year old, and I know that is not what God wants to see happen. So I think if we can get the word out, and be praying, God can use this as a means to get her connected to her parents!
Sorry to bother you with this question - we have a girl who is turning 16 in February, Kristina.
We are trying to find a family for her. A family who would like to adopt her needs to submit their application to USCIS before Kristina will turn 16. There are just couple weeks left. May I ask you to possibly ask people in your church? May be there is a family who would like to give this girl a hope.
She has been in US on hosting program and any interested family could contact the family who hosted Kristina, they likes her a lot. Here is what they say:
Teal Renzema <tkrenzema@yahoo.com>, one of families hosted her said: Krystyna is a very sweet girl, any family would be blessed to have her (I wish we could :)) . She is affectionate, cheerful, and extremely helpful (she always wants to keep everyone happy). Honestly there did not seem to be anything that we did that she didn't enjoy except maybe being around too many adults that she didn't know. The first night she was here she subtly cuddled up to me. She isn't extremely outgoing, she is almost shy but handles everything with a sweet smile. She told me that she wants to learn different languages and be a translator when she grows up. Most of the time she was here we played video games and "talked" on a translating website. I am so sad to see her second host family does not have funds to adopt her….
Thank you very much.
Larissa Koedyker
Russia Consultant/Ukraine program Coordinator
(616) 667-0921
(616) 667-9730 (fax)
e-mail: lkoedyker@adoptionassociates.net
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Praise Report & Two Cuties who need a family!
Thank you for praying for Irina and Alexander! They both now have families pursuing their adoptions! I just happen to have the privilege of attending church with them!! Thank you Lord for moving on hearts! Please keep both families in your prayers as they answer the Lords call and begin their adoption journeys!
These two cuties are a siblings and are currently waiting for a forever family in Ukraine. If you're interested in learning more about them contact Adoption Associates!
These two cuties are a siblings and are currently waiting for a forever family in Ukraine. If you're interested in learning more about them contact Adoption Associates!
LESYA
DOB: May, 2001
DOB: May, 2001
KOLYA
DOB: January, 2000
DOB: January, 2000
Kolya sings in the school choir. He also likes to put puzzles together and to make hand-made items.
Kolya is a good-hearted and sincere person, he never offends other children. Kolya is very fond of his younger sister Lesya.
One important difference between Lesya and Kolya and other orphans in Ukraine is that Lesya and Kolya do not live in a regular Ukrainian orphanage and thus does not have any behavioral features that life in an orphanage entails. The private Christian Children Center where Lesya and Kolya live consists of foster families who individually raise children in a family setting. Lesya and Kolya attend regular school, sports and cultural clubs just like an average child would in Ukraine. Lesya and Kolya attend church regularly and takes part in church activities.
Another difference is that a family interested in adopting Lesya and Kolya can come to Ukraine and spend time with Lesya and Kolya openly. Also all sorts of other communication is allowed– exchange of letters, packages, phone calls, skype, etc… so that Lesya and Kolya on one hand and potential adopting family on the other establish emotional contacts prior to commencement of adoption process in Ukraine.
Kolya is a good-hearted and sincere person, he never offends other children. Kolya is very fond of his younger sister Lesya.
One important difference between Lesya and Kolya and other orphans in Ukraine is that Lesya and Kolya do not live in a regular Ukrainian orphanage and thus does not have any behavioral features that life in an orphanage entails. The private Christian Children Center where Lesya and Kolya live consists of foster families who individually raise children in a family setting. Lesya and Kolya attend regular school, sports and cultural clubs just like an average child would in Ukraine. Lesya and Kolya attend church regularly and takes part in church activities.
Another difference is that a family interested in adopting Lesya and Kolya can come to Ukraine and spend time with Lesya and Kolya openly. Also all sorts of other communication is allowed– exchange of letters, packages, phone calls, skype, etc… so that Lesya and Kolya on one hand and potential adopting family on the other establish emotional contacts prior to commencement of adoption process in Ukraine.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Story of the Ring!
“Reckless faith is stunning. It is the stuff stories are told about years later. God is calling us to give to others recklessly because that is his nature. He could have atoned for our sins many other ways, or just kept accepting our livestock on the altar, but he demonstrated the ultimate in reckless giving when he offered his body for us.
The story of Joel is just one among millions of stories about how God responds to someone's cry each day. He is doing more than fetching what we ask; he is orchestrating events that are multipurpose. He is blessing the receiver, the provider, the asker, the observer, the second-hand hearer; he is big and alive and dynamic and involved. He is a God who captivates me. He is wilder than I can contain, and my understanding of him, while growing each day, only allows me to see a fraction of his total existence.” - Beth Guckenberger
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in to read an amazing story that involves many people who want to live a life of reckless faith for their Lord. How the Lord can take something bad that happens in our lives and turn them into good if we allow him.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
What I'm about to share is just one example of how the Lord has provided for our adoption of our boys in Nepal (I will be speaking of boys...plural because that is what we are asking the Lord for). How God moved a Huge mountain! We set out on this adoption journey not having one penny to put towards it. But knew without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord called us to go to Nepal. After much prayer we said , yes Lord, we will begin to take steps of faith in this direction and as you provide we'll move forward at your pace, and in your timing.
There is a whole lot to the story up to this particular point as to how the Lord provided (15,000.00 plus), but for today I want to focus on the last 2000.00 that was needed.
Nepal only allows 10 families per agency to submit dossiers each year. 2009 is the first year Nepal is accepting dossiers after having their doors closed for a number of years. We prayed that the Lord would allow for our paperwork to be submitted this year (2009). On November 16 we finally had our dossier ready for Nepal but still did not have the 9200.00 needed to send it. So there it sat on our counter for weeks. I guess we kinda assumed it wasn't the Lords will to be part of the 2009 quota and tried to deal with it by just not really talking about it. We figured when it was time we'd know.
On December fourth I was at a friends house decorating an adoption float for the Christmas parade being held on December 5. Mike called me that afternoon and said we had gotten an email from our adoption agency saying that all 10 slots had been filled for the year, but a family withdrew their application and wanted to know if we would like that last slot. They said they would have to have the dossier in Nepal by December 20 in order to have it translated and registered with the ministry by the end of the year. The fourth was a Friday the fifth Saturday, sixth Sunday so we were looking at Monday the seventh before we could talk with anyone from the adoption agency. By the time I got home Friday the agency was closed. I did however email them Friday evening to let them know that we would LOVE to have that slot, but we didn't have any of the money, but if they would “hold” it for us we were going to pray and get others to pray with us and see if it would be the Lords will to provide that money. I prayed that evening and asked the Lord what a reasonable “cut off” date would be to collect the money and still be able get our dossier to Nepal in time. I believe he gave me the fifteenth. A neat side note...we were unable to work with a Christian agency this time so this was going to be a neat way for them to witness the Lord at work!
It was Monday, December 7 at 7 AM that I felt lead to email my entire contact list and tell them of the situation that had come up and ask them to pray with us for a miracle and if they wanted to help here's how. Faith is not a feeling it's a choice and we hung onto Matthew 17:20 as a promise from the Lord. “I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there', and IT would move. NOTHING is impossible with God!” $9,200.00 was our mountain and we were praying and trusting He was going to move it!
Fast forward to Monday, December 14. The Lord had miraculously provided $7,200.00 and we only needed $2,000.00 more by 5:00 PM, December 15. At this point I felt worn out and really tired. Each day was filled by prayer and checking emails and the mail box and phone calls to see how the Lord was moving on hearts to step up and help with the rescue of these orphans that just happened to also be our children. It was hard to focus on anything else. I told Mike we need to pray that the Lord finishes this work TODAY! Let's pray and believe that by the end of the day before we lay our heads on our pillows that every penny needed will be provided!
So we prayed!
I decided to post “updates” on my facebook throughout the day of how the Lord was providing. My first post was at 8 AM...
It’s feeding the hungry Serving the poor It’s telling the orphan You’re not forgotten anymore" Take time and listen to this song! I'll post the lyrics in the comment below.
UPDATE****2000.00******* is all that's left.....by TOMORROW!!! Please pray with us that the Lord provides it all today!
Second post...
Someone we don't know just blessed us with 350.00! That takes it from 2000.00 down to 1650.00! Thank you Jesus!
Third post...
OUR NOON UPDATE ******WE NEED 1450.00!!!********
200.00 just came in the mail!
Thank you Jesus! We're getting there!
Fourth post...
*****UPDATE*****
It is so amazing to see brothers and sisters in the Lord from all over the country, most of whom we don't even know, helping to bring these little guys home! With everyone helping any way they can we're getting close! Right now we are down to 1150.00!!!! What will the Lord do tonight??? Who might He use ...to help rescue an orphan???
If you want to help visit our blog and use the Chip In.
Keep praying!
We don't have a regular answering machine so our phone just blinks and beeps when I go to use it to let me know we have a message or messages. I don't check them often because most of the time there for my teenage daughter. Well I was stick of the blinking and beeping so decided to take a minute and listen to the messages. Well we had 10 messages! I began to listen and they were all from the same person wanting to talk to Robin. When I got to the last message it was from this lady and she had called on Sunday wanting to talk to me. So I called her. That turned out to me the beginning of an amazing story that only the Lord could orchestrate!! Remember this quote from the beginning? He is doing more than fetching what we ask; he is orchestrating events that are multipurpose. He is blessing the receiver, the provider, the asker, the observer, the second-hand hearer; he is big and alive and dynamic and involved. This is where it gets good!
This lady asked me how close we were to meeting our goal. I told her 1150.00. I don't remember her exact words, but got the impression that if she had the money she would have given it to us. She said she believed the Holy Spirit had gently whispered in her ear that she could give us her diamond ring to help bring these boys home. She went on to tell me there was a story behind the ring.
Without going to deep into the details she began to tell me how her dad and mom were married but when she was a teenager she came home to find her mom had been committed to a mental institution. Dad was gone. I believe serving in the Navy in another state. A couple years passed and her dad showed up with divorce papers in one hand and another woman on his other hand and she was wearing a ring. He had come home for a divorce and I'm assuming introduce this new soon to be wife to his children.
Through a series of circumstances later when her dad passed away this step mom let her have this ring he had given her. She took it because it was the only thing she had from her dad....a link to him. She shared with me how it was a love/hate relationship with it. She loved it because it was a link to her dad and it was a beautiful ring, but hated it because it represented the destruction of her family.
She shared how many times when looking at the ring she wanted to throw it in the Atlantic Ocean. Because when she looked at it, it brought pain. She felt like the Holy Spirit whispered something to the effect like you can take something that represents pain and turn it into something that can bring joy! And that's exactly what she did!
We had arranged to meet the next morning and I would bring it to a jewelry store that my friend works at and have it cleaned and then I would be on a mission that day to sell it!
This conversation took place while Mike was walking out the door to go to church for band practice. So he knew nothing about what was going on :)
I had posted all my other update so I thought why wouldn't I post this one so here's the update...
Fifth post @ 6:10 PM
*****Update******
Someone is giving us a half carat diamond ring to sell and put towards
the 1150.00!!!!! Sooo if you're looking for a ring and want to make a
donation let me know! I'm going to sell it tomorrow.
It wasn't a couple minutes and another lady contacted me asking me if I could give her more details about the ring. I couldn't because I hadn't seen it. All I knew was it was a half carat. She emailed me again telling me she knew someone who was looking to purchase a ring that night or the next day. He was going to be at her house at eight and wanted to know if I could get the ring by then.
So I call the lady back with the ring and we decide to meet so I would have the ring to show him.
I pick it up, drive back home and call the other lady and let her know I have the ring. She asked I if I would mind bringing it to her house for him to look at. She felt bad asking me to get out again, but I told her it was no problem...it was for the boys and I was on a mission. I believed the Lord had a plan for this ring and I couldn't wait to see what it was!
Are you with me still?
So I show up at her house with the ring and she begins to share a story behind the man looking to purchase a ring. It involved her son.
Her son was married and his wife left him. He later met a young lady and fell in love and was going to propose to her and of course needed a ring. Well because he had gone through this divorce he really didn't have a lot of money for a diamond. Somehow (the Lord) he connected with another young man who also had gone through a divorce. Same thing happened...his wife left him. When she left he got the ring. Apparently it was a beautiful ring that he had custom built for her. Anyhow he knew this other guy wanted a ring and somehow they connected and he saw this diamond ring and loved it and wanted to buy it for his fiancee.
Well when the man with the ring heard he had gone through the same thing he had gone through he didn't want any money for the ring. He wanted to bless this guy with the diamond. He wanted to take something that brought him pain and turn it into something beautiful.
The guy that was looking to buy a ring that night was they guy who had given his diamond to this other man!
I knew listening to all this that the Holy Spirit was telling me don't set a price on this ring and let him have it for whatever he offers. And that's what I was prepared to do. I was not one bit worried about how much he would offer. At this point I was just really excited that he had met a wonderful young woman who he wanted to be his wife and I wanted him to have this ring if it was what he wanted.
At this point it's about eight o clock and he shows up to the house. I'm sitting there with our friend and some of her family (just listening and taking it all in) and she does all the introductions and quickly fills him in on why I'm there.
This guy was beaming when he came in and heard about all this. So he said, “do you have the ring?” I pass him the ring and he looks it over while smiling and says “this is the one”. At this point I jump in and tell him not to feel obligated or pressured. Not to be sucked into all the emotion and stories. I knew that Lord had given me that ring and I was confident it would sell. So NO pressure. He said I don't feel pressure or obligated. He told me he had been praying for a while and that very day had a conversation with the Lord that went something like....how do I pick a ring from so many...would you please bring me the ring. So there he was sitting in this house holding a diamond ring. He said this was the ring and even if it wasn't the style or size or whatever they had maybe planned on getting he knew his fiancee would be blessed by the stories behind the ring.
At this point no amount of money had been mentioned. He told me he had a set amount of money he had allocated for the ring. I told him whatever he wanted to give towards the adoption was fine. He said he had $800.00!!! I was floored! I didn't know what he would offer but I didn't think it would be $800.00. NOW I'm freaking out in a good way! I at this point begin to tell them the story about praying for the last 2000.00 by the end of the day and that we had two strangers tell us they were going to give us money towards the adoption. One for 100.00 the other 200.00.
So if you take 1150.00 and subtract 300.00 that leaves 850.00! So we were only lacking 50.00!!! To me that was as good as if the whole amount came in! When he heard this he tells me his sister had adopted like 4 times and loves adoption and tells me that he had 852.00 in his checking account and he wanted to give me 850.00! I said no, you don't need to give me any more money and he responds with a smile and says I know I don't need too, I want to!
A M A Z I N G!
Before I leave another person that was present during this whole thing walks by me and puts cash in my hand!
I get in the car and have this special time with just me and my Father!!! I'm screaming, crying, laughing....I just couldn't believe what had just happened. And I was going home to Mike that knew none of this. He didn't even know someone had given a ring! So I tried to compose myself so I could tell him the entire story from the beginning to end. With the Lords help I was able (another miracle :)
After I got through the story we decided to count what we had in our hands not count money from strangers that we didn't have. We were at 1843.00....we were only lacking 157.00.
Sixth post on facebook...
*****UPDATE******
COUNTING THE MONEY IN HAND WE ONLY LACKING 157.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It wasn't probably 30 seconds and someone from our church IM me and said they would be honored to give the last 157.00 and they would give it to me first thing in the morning!
My last post...
CAN'T STOP PRAISING GOD!!!! The mountain HAS BEEN MOVED!!!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!
Isn't our Father AMAZING! I am still in awe! God has so far used 33 families most of whom we don't know to help us in our mission to rescue our sons from the bondage of being orphans! What an amazing God we serve!
We needed 9200.00 and 9200.00 came in. No more, no less. And again....right on time!
There is even more to this incredible story, but I think I'll end the story here for now.
Would you join us in praising the Lord for providing this miracle!
At this point we are praying for the Lord to set the right people in place in Nepal to get these adoptions moving! Also praying if it's the Lords will that we would be referred two boys! That the Lord will continue to provide all that's needed to bring them home.
Now we wait for our referral and then we travel to bring them home!
The story of Joel is just one among millions of stories about how God responds to someone's cry each day. He is doing more than fetching what we ask; he is orchestrating events that are multipurpose. He is blessing the receiver, the provider, the asker, the observer, the second-hand hearer; he is big and alive and dynamic and involved. He is a God who captivates me. He is wilder than I can contain, and my understanding of him, while growing each day, only allows me to see a fraction of his total existence.” - Beth Guckenberger
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in to read an amazing story that involves many people who want to live a life of reckless faith for their Lord. How the Lord can take something bad that happens in our lives and turn them into good if we allow him.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
What I'm about to share is just one example of how the Lord has provided for our adoption of our boys in Nepal (I will be speaking of boys...plural because that is what we are asking the Lord for). How God moved a Huge mountain! We set out on this adoption journey not having one penny to put towards it. But knew without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord called us to go to Nepal. After much prayer we said , yes Lord, we will begin to take steps of faith in this direction and as you provide we'll move forward at your pace, and in your timing.
There is a whole lot to the story up to this particular point as to how the Lord provided (15,000.00 plus), but for today I want to focus on the last 2000.00 that was needed.
Nepal only allows 10 families per agency to submit dossiers each year. 2009 is the first year Nepal is accepting dossiers after having their doors closed for a number of years. We prayed that the Lord would allow for our paperwork to be submitted this year (2009). On November 16 we finally had our dossier ready for Nepal but still did not have the 9200.00 needed to send it. So there it sat on our counter for weeks. I guess we kinda assumed it wasn't the Lords will to be part of the 2009 quota and tried to deal with it by just not really talking about it. We figured when it was time we'd know.
On December fourth I was at a friends house decorating an adoption float for the Christmas parade being held on December 5. Mike called me that afternoon and said we had gotten an email from our adoption agency saying that all 10 slots had been filled for the year, but a family withdrew their application and wanted to know if we would like that last slot. They said they would have to have the dossier in Nepal by December 20 in order to have it translated and registered with the ministry by the end of the year. The fourth was a Friday the fifth Saturday, sixth Sunday so we were looking at Monday the seventh before we could talk with anyone from the adoption agency. By the time I got home Friday the agency was closed. I did however email them Friday evening to let them know that we would LOVE to have that slot, but we didn't have any of the money, but if they would “hold” it for us we were going to pray and get others to pray with us and see if it would be the Lords will to provide that money. I prayed that evening and asked the Lord what a reasonable “cut off” date would be to collect the money and still be able get our dossier to Nepal in time. I believe he gave me the fifteenth. A neat side note...we were unable to work with a Christian agency this time so this was going to be a neat way for them to witness the Lord at work!
It was Monday, December 7 at 7 AM that I felt lead to email my entire contact list and tell them of the situation that had come up and ask them to pray with us for a miracle and if they wanted to help here's how. Faith is not a feeling it's a choice and we hung onto Matthew 17:20 as a promise from the Lord. “I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there', and IT would move. NOTHING is impossible with God!” $9,200.00 was our mountain and we were praying and trusting He was going to move it!
Fast forward to Monday, December 14. The Lord had miraculously provided $7,200.00 and we only needed $2,000.00 more by 5:00 PM, December 15. At this point I felt worn out and really tired. Each day was filled by prayer and checking emails and the mail box and phone calls to see how the Lord was moving on hearts to step up and help with the rescue of these orphans that just happened to also be our children. It was hard to focus on anything else. I told Mike we need to pray that the Lord finishes this work TODAY! Let's pray and believe that by the end of the day before we lay our heads on our pillows that every penny needed will be provided!
So we prayed!
I decided to post “updates” on my facebook throughout the day of how the Lord was providing. My first post was at 8 AM...
It’s feeding the hungry Serving the poor It’s telling the orphan You’re not forgotten anymore" Take time and listen to this song! I'll post the lyrics in the comment below.
UPDATE****2000.00******* is all that's left.....by TOMORROW!!! Please pray with us that the Lord provides it all today!
Second post...
Someone we don't know just blessed us with 350.00! That takes it from 2000.00 down to 1650.00! Thank you Jesus!
Third post...
OUR NOON UPDATE ******WE NEED 1450.00!!!********
200.00 just came in the mail!
Thank you Jesus! We're getting there!
Fourth post...
*****UPDATE*****
It is so amazing to see brothers and sisters in the Lord from all over the country, most of whom we don't even know, helping to bring these little guys home! With everyone helping any way they can we're getting close! Right now we are down to 1150.00!!!! What will the Lord do tonight??? Who might He use ...to help rescue an orphan???
If you want to help visit our blog and use the Chip In.
Keep praying!
We don't have a regular answering machine so our phone just blinks and beeps when I go to use it to let me know we have a message or messages. I don't check them often because most of the time there for my teenage daughter. Well I was stick of the blinking and beeping so decided to take a minute and listen to the messages. Well we had 10 messages! I began to listen and they were all from the same person wanting to talk to Robin. When I got to the last message it was from this lady and she had called on Sunday wanting to talk to me. So I called her. That turned out to me the beginning of an amazing story that only the Lord could orchestrate!! Remember this quote from the beginning? He is doing more than fetching what we ask; he is orchestrating events that are multipurpose. He is blessing the receiver, the provider, the asker, the observer, the second-hand hearer; he is big and alive and dynamic and involved. This is where it gets good!
This lady asked me how close we were to meeting our goal. I told her 1150.00. I don't remember her exact words, but got the impression that if she had the money she would have given it to us. She said she believed the Holy Spirit had gently whispered in her ear that she could give us her diamond ring to help bring these boys home. She went on to tell me there was a story behind the ring.
Without going to deep into the details she began to tell me how her dad and mom were married but when she was a teenager she came home to find her mom had been committed to a mental institution. Dad was gone. I believe serving in the Navy in another state. A couple years passed and her dad showed up with divorce papers in one hand and another woman on his other hand and she was wearing a ring. He had come home for a divorce and I'm assuming introduce this new soon to be wife to his children.
Through a series of circumstances later when her dad passed away this step mom let her have this ring he had given her. She took it because it was the only thing she had from her dad....a link to him. She shared with me how it was a love/hate relationship with it. She loved it because it was a link to her dad and it was a beautiful ring, but hated it because it represented the destruction of her family.
She shared how many times when looking at the ring she wanted to throw it in the Atlantic Ocean. Because when she looked at it, it brought pain. She felt like the Holy Spirit whispered something to the effect like you can take something that represents pain and turn it into something that can bring joy! And that's exactly what she did!
We had arranged to meet the next morning and I would bring it to a jewelry store that my friend works at and have it cleaned and then I would be on a mission that day to sell it!
This conversation took place while Mike was walking out the door to go to church for band practice. So he knew nothing about what was going on :)
I had posted all my other update so I thought why wouldn't I post this one so here's the update...
Fifth post @ 6:10 PM
*****Update******
Someone is giving us a half carat diamond ring to sell and put towards
the 1150.00!!!!! Sooo if you're looking for a ring and want to make a
donation let me know! I'm going to sell it tomorrow.
It wasn't a couple minutes and another lady contacted me asking me if I could give her more details about the ring. I couldn't because I hadn't seen it. All I knew was it was a half carat. She emailed me again telling me she knew someone who was looking to purchase a ring that night or the next day. He was going to be at her house at eight and wanted to know if I could get the ring by then.
So I call the lady back with the ring and we decide to meet so I would have the ring to show him.
I pick it up, drive back home and call the other lady and let her know I have the ring. She asked I if I would mind bringing it to her house for him to look at. She felt bad asking me to get out again, but I told her it was no problem...it was for the boys and I was on a mission. I believed the Lord had a plan for this ring and I couldn't wait to see what it was!
Are you with me still?
So I show up at her house with the ring and she begins to share a story behind the man looking to purchase a ring. It involved her son.
Her son was married and his wife left him. He later met a young lady and fell in love and was going to propose to her and of course needed a ring. Well because he had gone through this divorce he really didn't have a lot of money for a diamond. Somehow (the Lord) he connected with another young man who also had gone through a divorce. Same thing happened...his wife left him. When she left he got the ring. Apparently it was a beautiful ring that he had custom built for her. Anyhow he knew this other guy wanted a ring and somehow they connected and he saw this diamond ring and loved it and wanted to buy it for his fiancee.
Well when the man with the ring heard he had gone through the same thing he had gone through he didn't want any money for the ring. He wanted to bless this guy with the diamond. He wanted to take something that brought him pain and turn it into something beautiful.
The guy that was looking to buy a ring that night was they guy who had given his diamond to this other man!
I knew listening to all this that the Holy Spirit was telling me don't set a price on this ring and let him have it for whatever he offers. And that's what I was prepared to do. I was not one bit worried about how much he would offer. At this point I was just really excited that he had met a wonderful young woman who he wanted to be his wife and I wanted him to have this ring if it was what he wanted.
At this point it's about eight o clock and he shows up to the house. I'm sitting there with our friend and some of her family (just listening and taking it all in) and she does all the introductions and quickly fills him in on why I'm there.
This guy was beaming when he came in and heard about all this. So he said, “do you have the ring?” I pass him the ring and he looks it over while smiling and says “this is the one”. At this point I jump in and tell him not to feel obligated or pressured. Not to be sucked into all the emotion and stories. I knew that Lord had given me that ring and I was confident it would sell. So NO pressure. He said I don't feel pressure or obligated. He told me he had been praying for a while and that very day had a conversation with the Lord that went something like....how do I pick a ring from so many...would you please bring me the ring. So there he was sitting in this house holding a diamond ring. He said this was the ring and even if it wasn't the style or size or whatever they had maybe planned on getting he knew his fiancee would be blessed by the stories behind the ring.
At this point no amount of money had been mentioned. He told me he had a set amount of money he had allocated for the ring. I told him whatever he wanted to give towards the adoption was fine. He said he had $800.00!!! I was floored! I didn't know what he would offer but I didn't think it would be $800.00. NOW I'm freaking out in a good way! I at this point begin to tell them the story about praying for the last 2000.00 by the end of the day and that we had two strangers tell us they were going to give us money towards the adoption. One for 100.00 the other 200.00.
So if you take 1150.00 and subtract 300.00 that leaves 850.00! So we were only lacking 50.00!!! To me that was as good as if the whole amount came in! When he heard this he tells me his sister had adopted like 4 times and loves adoption and tells me that he had 852.00 in his checking account and he wanted to give me 850.00! I said no, you don't need to give me any more money and he responds with a smile and says I know I don't need too, I want to!
A M A Z I N G!
Before I leave another person that was present during this whole thing walks by me and puts cash in my hand!
I get in the car and have this special time with just me and my Father!!! I'm screaming, crying, laughing....I just couldn't believe what had just happened. And I was going home to Mike that knew none of this. He didn't even know someone had given a ring! So I tried to compose myself so I could tell him the entire story from the beginning to end. With the Lords help I was able (another miracle :)
After I got through the story we decided to count what we had in our hands not count money from strangers that we didn't have. We were at 1843.00....we were only lacking 157.00.
Sixth post on facebook...
*****UPDATE******
COUNTING THE MONEY IN HAND WE ONLY LACKING 157.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It wasn't probably 30 seconds and someone from our church IM me and said they would be honored to give the last 157.00 and they would give it to me first thing in the morning!
My last post...
CAN'T STOP PRAISING GOD!!!! The mountain HAS BEEN MOVED!!!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!
Isn't our Father AMAZING! I am still in awe! God has so far used 33 families most of whom we don't know to help us in our mission to rescue our sons from the bondage of being orphans! What an amazing God we serve!
We needed 9200.00 and 9200.00 came in. No more, no less. And again....right on time!
There is even more to this incredible story, but I think I'll end the story here for now.
Would you join us in praising the Lord for providing this miracle!
At this point we are praying for the Lord to set the right people in place in Nepal to get these adoptions moving! Also praying if it's the Lords will that we would be referred two boys! That the Lord will continue to provide all that's needed to bring them home.
Now we wait for our referral and then we travel to bring them home!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Alexander NEEDS a home!
Alexander NEEDS a home!
Alexander, born December 1994, lives in a Christian Children's center in Eastern Europe and has lived there since August 2006. He is very kind and sensitive boy. Alexander loves nature, fishing, and camping. He enjoys riding a bicycle and takes... very good care of his bicycle, spends hours repairing it.
Call 616.667.0921 for additional information on Alexander or Adoption Associates, Inc.'s Waiting Children programs.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Irina wants to be adopted!
Meet Irina, a 15 year old young lady living in a Christian center in Ukraine.
She has been an orphan for three years and wants to be adopted so badly!
In Ukraine once you turn 16 you are no long eligible to be adopted.
Irina loves writing, has taken painting lessons for 3 years, and is learning to ski.
I know the Lord knows where her family is and will be faithful to bring them together.
Please pray for her and spread the word about this young lady!
For more information on Irina contact Adoption Associates and look under the International program.
Larissa is the contact for her. A link to her email in right on their page.
Adoption Associates does have additional photos for any family interested.
She's a doll!
Please help spread the word about her need for a family.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Merry CHRISTmas & Reckless Faith!
Merry Christmas!!!
I pray you all had a blessed Christmas with your families celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus! We had a wonderful, quiet day at home with our girls. After the girls had their gifts Mike and I sat on the couch wondering if next year we'll have two boys home! We may have just had our last Christmas together as a family of four! Wouldn't that be wild!!
Looking back I would say 2009 has been the hardest year ever (financially) for our family. But the Lord has been so faithful to take care of all our needs (bills, food, clothes, adoption expenses to date)! It has been a year of miracles for our family! Thank you Jesus!
We are quickly approaching the one year anniversary of the dream the Lord gave Mike calling us to go to Nepal and bring home at least one, maybe two sons! I remember when we announced what we were going to do we had some of our closest family and friends look at us as though we had lost our minds. I guess I can understand why they felt that way initially considering where we were financially, but after we shared how the Lord had been speaking to both of us through His Word I really thought their hearts would change. I was hoping they would be as excited with us as we were about this God sized adventure we were about to embark on... again! But some were not and even prayed our eyes would be opened and see that this was not the time to be doing this and that doors would close.
Mark 8:33 comes to mind...."You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's" Sometimes God calls us to do things that make no sense to others.... or us for that matter. He calls us to have RECKLESS FAITH...be reckless for Him! He see's the big picture...we only see what's right in front of us. Praise the Lord we listened to Him and PRAISE THE LORD he didn't close doors.... He opened them up wide!!! And He moved financial mountains for us!!!
Do you know that ANYTHING is possible with God? While I was reading this morning in Mark I came across the story about Jesus healing a boy who was possessed by an evil spirit. The man who had the son had brought the boy to the disciples but they were unable to heal him so he then took his son to Jesus. The father said to Jesus "Do something IF you can." "What do you mean if I can?" Jesus asked. "ANYTHING is possible if a person believes." That's what faith is. That is what we have tried to practice all year. It's not easy and I'm glad it's not an emotion that you feel, because I would have been in big trouble! Faith is a choice we make....and will continue to make. You see this adoption story is not over yet! We are only half way there! Another verse in Mark 9...verse 37 "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” Don't you love that verse?! OK one more over in Mark 10 verse 14 &15 "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God."
I do want to say we did have several friends who gathered around us in support, excitement and prayer and that meant so much to us! We love you so much! But we still had those doubters which by the way we love too! My head is still spinning from all the miracles that have taken place this year! Most recently the 9200.00 which I'm sure you all know about by now..but don't forget the TV either! I'm very excited to share the stories of how the Lord provided the 9200.00 but need to check with a couple people before I do :) Maybe that will be my first 2010 post!
As we head into 2010 we face a lot of the same trials we faced in 2009. Work is still very slow for Mike and we continue to pray and ask the Lord to provide all the work needed to pay our bills and provide for the adoption, finish the boys bedroom...you know how the list goes on. Faith and not worrying had been hard for me in the past and sometimes is still hard. They are those things that I need to give to the Lord daily! I will say all that has taken place this year has built my faith immeasurably!
I am reading a book right now called Crazy Love OVERWHELMED BY A RELENTLESS GOD by Francis Chan. He gives the definition for worry...not Webster's but how the Lord looks at worrying.
"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives."
We know this is not true! Our Father who created us loves us more than we can comprehend! Can you imagine loving someone so much that you would sacrifice your only son so others could escape eternal death? I cannot, yet that's what God did for you and me! We know He is BIG enough, POWERFUL enough, and LOVING enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.... He LOVES us!
I am reading a book right now called Crazy Love OVERWHELMED BY A RELENTLESS GOD by Francis Chan. He gives the definition for worry...not Webster's but how the Lord looks at worrying.
"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives."
We know this is not true! Our Father who created us loves us more than we can comprehend! Can you imagine loving someone so much that you would sacrifice your only son so others could escape eternal death? I cannot, yet that's what God did for you and me! We know He is BIG enough, POWERFUL enough, and LOVING enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.... He LOVES us!
So we head into 2010 expecting that the Lord has good things in store for you and our family!
Here's what we are praying for and thanking the Lord for ....
Thanking him for bringing the Nelson's and their new daughter home safely!
Continue to pray for them and her as they begin to bond as a family.
Continue to pray for them and her as they begin to bond as a family.
Pray for Amy and Brian as they are in China now and have their new son Rhett! Pray for Brian's leg/hip as it's giving him lots of pain. Pray for healing! You can check out their blog here.
My Friend Amy and her hubby as they prepare to travel to ET to bring home their new daughter!
Mike to get lots of work so we can pay these bills and get out of debt!
That the Lord will continue to show Himself strong in this adoption and that He will provide all we need to bring these boys home!
Pray for two boys!
The Lord will move mountains and put into place those that need to be there to get adoptions moving in Nepal!
And safety to those traveling to bring home their children.
More people would have reckless faith and step out and do something radical for the Lord this year! Maybe even adopt!!!
Please take time to watch the video below about Reckless Faith!
I love you!
Have a wonderful New Year! I'll be back Jan 1, 2010 unless Jesus comes to take us/me home! Wouldn't that be sweet if He came for His waiting church!!!
Are you ready?
If not...... GET READY....HE'S COMING SOON!
Are you ready?
If not...... GET READY....HE'S COMING SOON!
Friday, December 18, 2009
The book is READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is from my friend Kim's "The Christmas Miracle" blog....READ & buy a book! We are honored to be one of the adoption stories in the book (Noelle's adoption story)!!!
"I have had one too many cups of tea tonight and I entered my bedroom with the laptop determined to have these stories up and ready to go by morning. It is now 12:58 am and I did it!!! After much prayer and consideration it seems the very best way to approach this for the time being is to use Chip In.
That link will take you to PayPal. Donate $10.00 or more and then send an e-mail to oneheartworld@gmail.com telling us that the donation has been made. We will then send you an e-mail with the electronic book as an attachment. You can either read it from your computer or print it out. Your choice! We will also send you an invitation to a private blog where we will share details of each family as they proceed with their adoptions. You will be able to see how each penny is spent and witness the miracles for yourself. There are many ways to get e-books up and running and we may change the way we do this in the future. For the sake of time and the fact that this is called The Christmas Miracle Project and Christmas is in SEVEN days this seems the fastest way to get these stories to you. Our goal is to fund at least three adoptions. We know that God's vision is so much bigger than ours so we open ourselves up for endless miracles. Lets envision lots and lots of children snuggled safely in their bed with the love a family surrounding them........
With Facebook, Twitter, E-Mail and blogs this will be easy. EASY! I love to break a big number down so it doesn't seem scary so here is how that looks....$90,000(scary)....that is the approximate cost of three adoptions. When we ask for a $10.00 donation that comes out to be 9000 people OR 900 people giving $100.00 each OR 90 people giving $1000.00 each. All of a sudden it's not so scary is it? I told you it's easy! When we see $90,000, we think we can't do it, we can't help, we can't make a difference. But when we see $10.00 we think..."I can do that." With less than some people spend at Starbucks in a week you can be part of changing the direction of a child's life.
"I have had one too many cups of tea tonight and I entered my bedroom with the laptop determined to have these stories up and ready to go by morning. It is now 12:58 am and I did it!!! After much prayer and consideration it seems the very best way to approach this for the time being is to use Chip In.
Do you see the little box to the right of this post?
No more hunger.
No more loneliness.
No more waiting.
Please help spread the word far and wide!
Be a part of the Miracle!
And not just one life but many lives.
Let's not wait around for a miracle, let's BE the miracle.
The stories are profoundly moving and I have cried through each one, including my own. I am honored that each family that shared in this was willing to invite us into their world so we could be inspired by them.
I think this is going to be the best Christmas EVER!
Thank you in advance for you kindness, your open heart and your generosity.
With Love"
Thursday, December 17, 2009
“The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those who love Him.”
Don't you love being in the house of the Lord worshiping with your brothers and sisters!
It's been a long time since I when to church on a Wednesday night. Mike began going again back a few months ago, but for me it seems like so much work to get out at night in the cold with a little one. But I went last night I'm so glad I did!
We had a guest speaker Harry Pressley from Calvary Chapel Bellmawr. What a blessing to hear him share last night. He was was reading from 1 Corinthians 12. He was teaching about the many spiritual gifts. There are so many gifts the Lord can give us. He of course mentioned the gift of faith and miracles.
These are two gifts we saw first hand this past week and a half! I can't begin to tell you how much of a blessing it was for us to have so many of you praying believing in faith that the Lord was going to provide all that was needed to take this next step! It's our prayer that the Lord is glorified in all of this!
I was talking to a new friend of mine, Kimberly, and she and I were talking about all the trials we've faced this year. For us it's been a financial. She was suggesting that perhaps the Lord has allowed this year of financial struggling for our family just for the purpose of this last week to take place.
If Mike's work had been booming and he had twice the work he normally has. We would still be adopting and when that 9200.00 was needed we could have just written out a check and mailed it. Which would have been fine, but he allowed us to be in this vulnerable place and put us in a position to ask our brothers and sisters to join us in prayer and to provide this huge amount of money in a short period of time. Through this so many people Christians and non- Christians alike have heard this testimony of God faithfulness! It's our prayer that this adoption testimony ,which is not over yet, will cause people's faith to grow! More importantly show them that when the Lord tells us to do something....even when it makes no sense....it's our job, obligation to respond with a yes Lord! A verse that I love is “The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those who love Him.” (2 Chron. 16:9) Isn't that a sweet promise from our Lord!
Back to last night. Not only did we love what he was teaching and It felt so relevant to all that's taken place these past few days, but he mentioned how he gets the privilege to travel oversees to teach.
He mentioned that he's been to Nepal several times!
This is a country that needs the Lord desperately! He was sharing how there are so many idols there. I believe I heard they have more idols then people....what a sad picture. He was sharing about how he witnessed goats being killed as an offering to gods. He also mentioned something that I wasn't aware of. Apparently there are a lot of moneys over there and the people think they are gods. He was in the streets and witnessed a young child being caught by a money and being beat up and all these people just standing there doing nothing! Can you even imagine! He didn't just stand there he intervened and tried to help this child. Later after church we were introduced to him and he shared a little more about that story. Apparently he could have been stoned because he did that. Praise the Lord he wasn't! This world we live in is such a mess all I can say is COME LORD JESUS COME!!!
It was neat being able to ask him questions about Nepal. There is a Calvary Chapel team of pastors going to Nepal next year. Wouldn't that be a hoot to be able to travel with them and of course my other new friend, Elissa, who is also adopting a little guy from Nepal. She and her hubby have a few months on us though. I believe their dossier was sent in September....but you NEVER know maybe the Lord will still allow us to travel together!
On another note I have a few more prayer requests to add to the list from a few days ago.
We have a friends who leave today to travel to Ethiopia to bring home their new daughter! They will arrive home on Christmas day! They have three biological children and now will have three adopted! Pray for their children at home and for there new daughter as she enters her new home. She's about 12-13 years old so it may be a little harder to adjust to her new life, but she couldn't be adopted by better parents and she'll have great brothers and sisters!
I have another friend who is traveling to China in just 9 days I think to bring home her new little boy Rhett! Pray for the Lord to begin working in his little heart for all the changes that he's about to have. Help her and her hubby to have a clear mind and be able to focus on packing and doing everything that needs to be done before they leave. They leave the day after Christmas!
We know another family who is welcoming home their 5th adopted child today! Be praying for the Pratt family and this new little girl!
And last but not least my dear friend Amy and her husband. They just passed court and are now the proud parents of a three year old little girl from Ethiopia! They have also adopted once before and they now have two little girls the same age! Kinda like twins! Pray for them to have a clear mind and have peace as they begin to make their travel plans!
I just LOVE adoption and all that the Lord is doing!
Father bless all these children that are coming home and the millions more who are waiting for a daddy and mommy! And bless these families who are about to travel and welcome these little ones home! In Jesus name we pray....AMEN!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Questions have been asked....What's next?
My plan wasn't to talk about money so soon after the Lord provided so much for this adoption, but I've had some questions as to what the rest of our expenses will look like and if we have the rest of the money needed.
The answer is we do not have the money for the remainder of our expenses. We will continue to pray that the Lord will provide and we believe He will! I decided I would share with you what the break down looks like and what we've paid for so far and what we are looking at for the remainder of this adoption.
Nepal Adoption Fees Disclosure Adoption Fees Payable to FHSA (our adoption agency) based on adoption services for one child. Application Fee 250.00 PAID Initial Professional Service Fee 2950.00 (Due with signed client contract at which time a Program Coordinator will contact you to assist with the dossier) PAID Home Study & Post Adoption Report Fees Home Study and 3 Post Adoption Reports The total for all of these fees are 800.00 we've paid 400.00 still owe 400.00.
Due with Dossier submission: Second Professional Service Fee 2500.00 PAID Mailing and Wire Transfer Fee 200.00 PAID Initial Country Administration Fee 2500.00 PAID Gov't Processing & Monitoring Fee 3000.00 PAID Humanitarian Aid (Orphan's Voice) 1000.00 PAID
Due with Referral Acceptance: Country Administration Balance 2000.00 Orphanage Donation 5000.00 (will be doubled if we get two boys)
Adoption Fees Payable to: Child's Paperwork Fees Medical 40.00 Visa 400.00 These fees are payable at our Embassy appointment in Nepal. We will need to hand carry these fees with us to Nepal (these will be doubles if we get two boys)
Out of Pocket Travel Expenses:
Airfare 2000.00 - 7000.00 not sure for child maybe 250.00 or more Meals - Approx. 25.00 per day per adult 300.00 - 600.00 Hotel avg. 12 nights at 95.00 per night 1140.00 (we plan to stay at a children's home! Of course we'll give them something, but it should save on this expense) Facilitator Tip 100.00 Nanny Tip 100.00 Orphanage Director Tip 50.00 Driver Tip 30.00 Estimated Travel Expenses 3970.00 - 9270.00
Estimated Total Adoption Cost - $24,710 - $32,140.00
When the Lord first began to speak to us about adopting from Nepal Mike was so excited and I'll admit wasn't. I was excited about the thoughts of adopting again but my heart wanted to go back to China! We had talked about going back and adopting another little girl around the age of 4 so I was a little taken back when Nepal came into the picture.
I couldn't deny that the Lord gave Mike this word (BANAU) but I wasn't convinced that we were supposed to adopt from Nepal. We prayed and began to explore Nepal adoptions to see if there would be a closed door. I was looking for one. We qualified on every level....we only had two children, we only had girls but when I looked at the cost and saw 30,000.00 as an average I thought....there's the closed door! Now we can use AWAA again and go back to China!
I remember sitting in the living room with Mike and told him how much it would cost and said something like....well I guess that closes the door on Nepal huh?
His response was something like this....Well Tonya we have 0 money so if the Lord is calling us to adopt He is able to provide the 10,000.00 or more needed for a domestic, 20,000.00 or more needed for a China adoption and He is able to provide 30,000.00 or more for a Nepal adoption....so NO this is not a closed door!
So many of you know how the story goes, but after MUCH PRAYER we said YES LORD and began to take small steps in faith. Believing if this is what the Lord called us to do He would be faithful to complete it!
It has been AMAZING to watch the Lord provide all we've needed for each step we've taken! The money hasn't been in our hand early, but it's been there right on time for the next step. I'll be honest it's nice to know you have the money needed ahead of time, but so far that's not how the Lord has chosen to work. We're excited to see the rest of HIS story unfold!
By the way I'm VERY EXCITED about adopting from Nepal and I'm thrilled that I'll be a mommy to I pray TWO little boys!!
We updated our Chip In button and it will stay there until December 31, 2010 or until we know when we'll be getting our boys.
The answer is we do not have the money for the remainder of our expenses. We will continue to pray that the Lord will provide and we believe He will! I decided I would share with you what the break down looks like and what we've paid for so far and what we are looking at for the remainder of this adoption.
I600-A fingerprints for Homeland Security 830.00 PAID
Adoption Learning Partners 150.00 PAID
Adoption Learning Partners 150.00 PAID
The above 5 items made up the 9200.00 that was needed to get our dossier to Nepal! We are praising the Lord for providing that need!
Out of Pocket Travel Expenses:
When the Lord first began to speak to us about adopting from Nepal Mike was so excited and I'll admit wasn't. I was excited about the thoughts of adopting again but my heart wanted to go back to China! We had talked about going back and adopting another little girl around the age of 4 so I was a little taken back when Nepal came into the picture.
I couldn't deny that the Lord gave Mike this word (BANAU) but I wasn't convinced that we were supposed to adopt from Nepal. We prayed and began to explore Nepal adoptions to see if there would be a closed door. I was looking for one. We qualified on every level....we only had two children, we only had girls but when I looked at the cost and saw 30,000.00 as an average I thought....there's the closed door! Now we can use AWAA again and go back to China!
I remember sitting in the living room with Mike and told him how much it would cost and said something like....well I guess that closes the door on Nepal huh?
His response was something like this....Well Tonya we have 0 money so if the Lord is calling us to adopt He is able to provide the 10,000.00 or more needed for a domestic, 20,000.00 or more needed for a China adoption and He is able to provide 30,000.00 or more for a Nepal adoption....so NO this is not a closed door!
So many of you know how the story goes, but after MUCH PRAYER we said YES LORD and began to take small steps in faith. Believing if this is what the Lord called us to do He would be faithful to complete it!
It has been AMAZING to watch the Lord provide all we've needed for each step we've taken! The money hasn't been in our hand early, but it's been there right on time for the next step. I'll be honest it's nice to know you have the money needed ahead of time, but so far that's not how the Lord has chosen to work. We're excited to see the rest of HIS story unfold!
By the way I'm VERY EXCITED about adopting from Nepal and I'm thrilled that I'll be a mommy to I pray TWO little boys!!
We updated our Chip In button and it will stay there until December 31, 2010 or until we know when we'll be getting our boys.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Dossier on it's way to Nepal!!!
I'm THRILLED to share with you that our dossier is on it's way to Nepal!
I called FHSA this morning to share with them what the Lord has done in providing 9200.00 in 10 count them 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10 days!!!
I asked them if our dossier would be sent today and she told me that they sent it YESTERDAY!!!! Praise the Lord for moving on their hearts and giving them peace about sending it in good faith that we would send the remainder of the money!
The Lord has used 33 people to help with this need! There are some AMAZING stories with some of these families! I can't wait to share all the details! I think I could write a book about this adoption...hmmm I might just have to do that :) Once we get these boys home!
This has been just PART of our journey! There is more to come and I can't wait to see how it will all unfold! If you want to join us we now we will begin to pray for:
1. The referral of two boys!
2. The right people will be placed in the proper positions in Nepal to get these adoptions MOVING!
3. That the Lord will use this testimony to encourage others who want to adopt but don't because of finances! HE IS FAITHFUL!
4. The Lord will continue to provide all that's needed to bring the boys home. 7000.00 when we get our referral and who knows how much for travel expenses.
5. That my sweet hubby will get work!
Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!
To God be the glory!
I called FHSA this morning to share with them what the Lord has done in providing 9200.00 in 10 count them 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10 days!!!
I asked them if our dossier would be sent today and she told me that they sent it YESTERDAY!!!! Praise the Lord for moving on their hearts and giving them peace about sending it in good faith that we would send the remainder of the money!
The Lord has used 33 people to help with this need! There are some AMAZING stories with some of these families! I can't wait to share all the details! I think I could write a book about this adoption...hmmm I might just have to do that :) Once we get these boys home!
This has been just PART of our journey! There is more to come and I can't wait to see how it will all unfold! If you want to join us we now we will begin to pray for:
1. The referral of two boys!
2. The right people will be placed in the proper positions in Nepal to get these adoptions MOVING!
3. That the Lord will use this testimony to encourage others who want to adopt but don't because of finances! HE IS FAITHFUL!
4. The Lord will continue to provide all that's needed to bring the boys home. 7000.00 when we get our referral and who knows how much for travel expenses.
5. That my sweet hubby will get work!
Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!
To God be the glory!
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