pray for Valor

Our nephew from Ethiopia is having his first surgery to repair his cleft lip. You can follow his journey at www.hopelovevalor.com

An Open Letter to an Unborn Baby

An Open Letter to an Unborn Baby

braids

Ela got her hair braided!  These were her first set of braids, I have to admit I miss her sweet little curls, but it makes it so much easier for her.
Last week we went over to some Ethiopian friends of ours, Tesfey and Birhane.  Tesfey's father is sick so he was traveling to Mekele (where Joseph's orphanage is)
  Birhane and her friend braided Ela's hair while we were visiting.  They are so hospitable!  People were constantly coming in and out of their home, she would feed each one injera.  They were bringing gifts and money for Tesfey to deliver to their loved ones in Ethiopia.  We  brought a large suitcase filled with donations for the orphanage.  My friend Mary and I were able to give him some presents for our boys, Joseph and Samuel.  It was so fun putting together pictures of our family for Joseph to look at.  The kids made cards for him.
Our oldest son Jonah bought a soccer goal (it folds flat) and soccer ball for the kids.
The kids are awake now, gotta run

Busy Blessed Beautiful Life: Why "there" when there's so much need "here"?

Busy Blessed Beautiful Life: Why "there" when there's so much need "here"?: "My grandmother and I are talking about the gifts. We're talking about how she could mention to her girlfriends that if they'd like to buy a..."

Why shouldn't I adopt?

Instead of asking the question " why should I adopt?"  Maybe it should be why should I not.  Adoption is God's will.  It was his will for us to be adopted into his family, to share an inheritance with his perfect, sacrificial son.  Adoption was plan A from our father in heaven.  Maybe we could assume it is God's will for all Christian families, and begin to pray that he will show us if it is not his will for a family.  It may not be, but maybe he will open up an opportunity to serve one of the 163 million orphans.  That number is equivalent to an entire nation.
I know it is expensive, timely etc...  But, we have seen the Lord provide in amazing ways.   There is so much support out there and resources, so much more than their used to be.
I have had people tell me adoption seems "trendy".   The Lord is at work for the fatherless, we don't have time to sit back and wonder if we should join in on a movement because it is "trendy".

Life is short, don't miss out :)