We have set up a link to Just Love Coffee on our blog. Proceeds from your coffee purchases will go toward our adoption fund.
You can find the link directly under our pay pal donation button.
If you LOVE coffee buy it through us and help bring our orphan home!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Big Brothers to Be
I am a little weepy this morning as I sit down to write this! What is happening in our lives is truly amazing and surreal. We are having a baby, but we aren't pregnant! And yet, I am feeling so much of the anticipation, urgency to prepare, and even nesting that I felt with both of my boys. Maybe God's way of showing me that the love for this baby will be no different than that I felt with Gavin and Ethan. My precious boys are going to be big brothers. They are going to learn that love knows no boundaries, no colors. A couple days ago Gavin and I were singing Jesus Loves the Little Children while he went potty (a normal daily occurence). As we sang, I realized what a great teaching moment this song was to explain to my completely precious little boy about God's love for us...all His children, all over the world...red, yellow, black, or white..all precious in His sight. Gavin has no idea what all this means for our family, but he understands he is getting sister. Yesterday, when my friend Ginny visited with her daughter Stella, Gavin said is Stella kind of like my sister will be? Oh Gavin, kind of like, but so different!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Support Us!
This is by far been the hardest part of our journey...humbling ourselves and asking for support isn't something Nick and I are super comfortable with! I had to get over what others may say and how we may be judged by those who may not understand. In fact, I needed a pep talk from my friends Kristy and Emily (who are both on their own adoption journeys) before I actually mailed our letters out. Many of you have received this in the mail, but my mom indicated she learned a lot from reading it so I thought I would include it here as well for the ones who weren't lucky enough to get it in the mail...lol! Blessed are the gifts, the givers, and the ones who cannot give.
Dear Friends and Family,
What a crazy five months it has been! Our hearts have been burdened and we have been called to act! As most of you know, Nick and I feel a calling by God to adopt. We have felt led, specifically, to adopt a special needs little girl from China. My passion for international adoption started long ago. Only recently did various life circumstances lead us to seriously seek God’s will for this area of our lives. What started out as a desire to adopt internationally has led to a deep burden for the millions of orphans of this world and God’s call for us all to ACT.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
Interestingly enough, the following verse shortly precedes James 1:27:
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
After diligent research into several domestic and international adoption agencies, we began the adoption process in late February with Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) and have enrolled in their Waiting Child Program. This means that we could potentially welcome a special needs baby girl into our home in as little as a year. Many will wonder why we have chosen this route. We, ourselves, don’t fully understand it and cannot adequately explain it. However, after months of fervent prayer, discussion, and research, we feel an unexplainable peace and confidence that this is what God wants us to do.
We have taken to heart the following passage. Jesus says,
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Orphans, in our opinion, are among the “least of these”. In our world today it is estimated that there are more than 143,000,000 orphaned children. Often sick and medically fragile children are left to die. In some orphanages, the death rates are as high as 20%. Asia has an estimated 61.5 million orphans. In China there are more than 40,000 orphanages with an estimated 3 million orphans. Two in five babies entering the system die. In response to concern of over-population in China, the government enforced a "one child" policy. Compounding the problem is the cultural response to boys and girls. The birth of a boy is celebrated, while the birth of a girl is not acknowledged.
Similar to sending out support letters for a short or long term mission, we are sending out this letter asking you - our friends and family - for support in the mission that we are on for the rest of our lives.
First of all and most importantly, we ask for prayer. We need to be lifted up in prayer for wisdom in our decisions and for God to make our paths clear. We anticipate that God will open and close doors along our adoption journey and that this process may be a very difficult one. Your prayers of support will undoubtedly be a blessing to us and we thank you in advance for them!
Second, there is an undeniable fact that international adoption is very expensive. The average cost for an international adoption is $25,000-$30,000, not to mention the incurred costs that undoubtedly will arise in providing for a special needs child. Immediately, we need to raise $5,000.00 just to cover the first program/home study fee and dossier preparation. The cost has been, quite possibly, the most challenging obstacle for us during our months of prayerful consideration. We have faith that God will provide, but also realize that “a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (James 2:24), so we are in the brainstorming stages of developing adoption fundraising opportunities in order to raise necessary funds to move forward with this process. We welcome any fundraising ideas that you may have and also humbly ask that you participate in the fundraising process any way that you are capable. We realize that not everyone receiving this letter is in the position to make a financial donation, but maybe you will consider organizing a fundraiser such as a garage sale on our behalf or even donating your “junk” for us to sell.
Not everyone is called to bring an orphan into their home, but God is very clear about his instructions for us all to care for orphans:
“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4
Thanks to the generosity of our dear friend Michelle Matarazzo, we now have a custom-designed adoption blog (www.petermansloveadoption.blogspot.com) that will allow us to share our experience through this journey, as well as provide resources to better understand the desperate situation millions of orphans around the world are faced with today. We also have a PayPal account linked to our adoption blog for those of you who feel led, after prayerful consideration, to contribute financially.
God already has a baby in mind for us - a baby without a family, love, or adequate care. We need to bring our baby home! Please help us!
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18
With gratitude and love,
The Peterman Family - Nick, Katie, Gavin and Ethan
Dear Friends and Family,
What a crazy five months it has been! Our hearts have been burdened and we have been called to act! As most of you know, Nick and I feel a calling by God to adopt. We have felt led, specifically, to adopt a special needs little girl from China. My passion for international adoption started long ago. Only recently did various life circumstances lead us to seriously seek God’s will for this area of our lives. What started out as a desire to adopt internationally has led to a deep burden for the millions of orphans of this world and God’s call for us all to ACT.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
Interestingly enough, the following verse shortly precedes James 1:27:
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
After diligent research into several domestic and international adoption agencies, we began the adoption process in late February with Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) and have enrolled in their Waiting Child Program. This means that we could potentially welcome a special needs baby girl into our home in as little as a year. Many will wonder why we have chosen this route. We, ourselves, don’t fully understand it and cannot adequately explain it. However, after months of fervent prayer, discussion, and research, we feel an unexplainable peace and confidence that this is what God wants us to do.
We have taken to heart the following passage. Jesus says,
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Orphans, in our opinion, are among the “least of these”. In our world today it is estimated that there are more than 143,000,000 orphaned children. Often sick and medically fragile children are left to die. In some orphanages, the death rates are as high as 20%. Asia has an estimated 61.5 million orphans. In China there are more than 40,000 orphanages with an estimated 3 million orphans. Two in five babies entering the system die. In response to concern of over-population in China, the government enforced a "one child" policy. Compounding the problem is the cultural response to boys and girls. The birth of a boy is celebrated, while the birth of a girl is not acknowledged.
Similar to sending out support letters for a short or long term mission, we are sending out this letter asking you - our friends and family - for support in the mission that we are on for the rest of our lives.
First of all and most importantly, we ask for prayer. We need to be lifted up in prayer for wisdom in our decisions and for God to make our paths clear. We anticipate that God will open and close doors along our adoption journey and that this process may be a very difficult one. Your prayers of support will undoubtedly be a blessing to us and we thank you in advance for them!
Second, there is an undeniable fact that international adoption is very expensive. The average cost for an international adoption is $25,000-$30,000, not to mention the incurred costs that undoubtedly will arise in providing for a special needs child. Immediately, we need to raise $5,000.00 just to cover the first program/home study fee and dossier preparation. The cost has been, quite possibly, the most challenging obstacle for us during our months of prayerful consideration. We have faith that God will provide, but also realize that “a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (James 2:24), so we are in the brainstorming stages of developing adoption fundraising opportunities in order to raise necessary funds to move forward with this process. We welcome any fundraising ideas that you may have and also humbly ask that you participate in the fundraising process any way that you are capable. We realize that not everyone receiving this letter is in the position to make a financial donation, but maybe you will consider organizing a fundraiser such as a garage sale on our behalf or even donating your “junk” for us to sell.
Not everyone is called to bring an orphan into their home, but God is very clear about his instructions for us all to care for orphans:
“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4
Thanks to the generosity of our dear friend Michelle Matarazzo, we now have a custom-designed adoption blog (www.petermansloveadoption.blogspot.com) that will allow us to share our experience through this journey, as well as provide resources to better understand the desperate situation millions of orphans around the world are faced with today. We also have a PayPal account linked to our adoption blog for those of you who feel led, after prayerful consideration, to contribute financially.
God already has a baby in mind for us - a baby without a family, love, or adequate care. We need to bring our baby home! Please help us!
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18
With gratitude and love,
The Peterman Family - Nick, Katie, Gavin and Ethan
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thanksgiving
Another post in one day!!! My quiet time tonight was too good not to share. Most of you who know me well know I can juggle a LOT, but I also get pretty overwhelmed until I can cross off TO DOs on my list. And if you read the earlier post you also can see that my TO DOs will carry on for days. I thrive on checking things off my list as quickly and efficiently as possible. International adoption doesn't really fit my comfortable little checklist format. As today has passed the knot in my neck has gone from mild hurt to max hurt:) But I was quickly reminded tonight when I FINALLY stopped to devote some time to the Lord that He has this in His control.
My study verses tonight were this-
Phillipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guards your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.
It is so amazing to me how God can speak to me just the right thing at just the right time...sweet peace in Christ! And a gentle reminder that prayer and petition are important, but so is thanksgiving. And boy am I thankful, but that was easily lost today in my "to dos". Thanks for the reminder, Lord!
Ok, so here comes the sappy part...stop reading if you don't like cheesey sappiness! So, while I was reading my bible the song "Friends" by Michael W. Smith started to play. Another reminder of the incredible blessings in my life-friends! This journey is just beginning and I have so many wonderful, devoted, precious ladies who have begun to help and encourage me. You know who you are dinner/bake sale chair, cake pop extraordinaire, blog purchaser, company support chair, couponer/first donater, lotto ticket sender, reference writers, support letter proofers, pep talk givers...I really could go on for days! Just writing it all here makes me truly cry at the blessings my friends have been to me in these last months! Thank you sweet ones!
My study verses tonight were this-
Phillipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guards your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.
It is so amazing to me how God can speak to me just the right thing at just the right time...sweet peace in Christ! And a gentle reminder that prayer and petition are important, but so is thanksgiving. And boy am I thankful, but that was easily lost today in my "to dos". Thanks for the reminder, Lord!
Ok, so here comes the sappy part...stop reading if you don't like cheesey sappiness! So, while I was reading my bible the song "Friends" by Michael W. Smith started to play. Another reminder of the incredible blessings in my life-friends! This journey is just beginning and I have so many wonderful, devoted, precious ladies who have begun to help and encourage me. You know who you are dinner/bake sale chair, cake pop extraordinaire, blog purchaser, company support chair, couponer/first donater, lotto ticket sender, reference writers, support letter proofers, pep talk givers...I really could go on for days! Just writing it all here makes me truly cry at the blessings my friends have been to me in these last months! Thank you sweet ones!
We are expecting!
Waking up this morning and remembering the call yesterday that we are approved feels like a dream! I am having a baby but I am not pregnant...kind of a crazy feeling! So many mixed emotions going on in my brain at this moment! I can't believe something I have thought about since 1995 is REALLY happening. The more I read about China and the orphanages there the more I want to get to there to get our girl! And convince any of you who read this to come with us too. Man oh man...those babies need US!Now that we are approved the madness begins! We need to raise a ton of support and complete a TON (no kidding...we got a 20 page packet which just outlines what we have to do) of paperwork. BUT the most important thing is that we are APPROVED and we are going to CHINA for our sweet baby God already has for us!!!!
For those who want to know what are next steps look like I have included the first 3 pages of the 20 page outline we received yesterday!
Dear Katie and Nick,
Congratulations! After careful review and approval of your Application for Adoption, CCAI-FL is pleased to invite you to attend the Adoption Orientation to be held on April 14, 2012, at the CCAI-FL offices located at 5814 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544. Please note that all required items in the second list below must be received by CCAI-FL prior to the scheduled event. Applicants with incomplete files will be notified two days prior to the scheduled Orientation that they have been re-scheduled for the next Orientation.
The Orientation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will end at 11:30 a.m. In the best interest of all families attending Orientation, we are unable to accommodate children at these events. Thank you for your understanding.
This packet includes a number of documents for informational purposes only:
1. Adoption Dossier explanation
2. Adoption Home Study explanation
3. “Staying Connected” Memo
4. “How Are We Doing?” Memo
5. Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption Complaint Registry
This packet also includes a number of documents which applicants must complete and return to CCAI-FL prior to Orientation attendance:
1. Residential History form
2. Release and Consent form (all adults in home complete this form - everyone on same form)
3. Central Abuse Hotline Record Search form (Fill out the first page, and then also list all persons, including applicants, any additional adults, and children on the second page. Provide social security numbers for each)
4. FDLE Criminal History Information Request (print one form for each person in the home, age 12 or older)
5. Firearms Safety Acknowledgement Form (all adults in home, 18 and older, must sign)
6. Two copies of the Service Agreement (both applicants must sign in front of a notary)
7. Fee Policy Agreement (both applicants must sign in front of a notary)
8. Applicant Autobiographies (Use enclosed Guidelines to complete. These should be in narrative
form, between 6 and 8 pages.)
9. CCAI-FL Home Study Documentation Checklist, Part I form (to help you keep track of your progress as you compile the above list. This is the last document in the packet. You will receive the CCAI-FL Home Study Documentation Checklist, Part II form in your Orientation Packet. You will receive CCAI-FL Home Study Documentation Checklist, Part III via email, upon CCAI-FL’s receipt of your home study draft from your social worker. )
In addition to the above listed documents to be immediately returned to CCAI-FL, please also remit:
1. First Agency fee of $3,350.00. Please make check out to CCAI.
2. FDLE Criminal History fee of $24.00 per person; a single check, made out to FDLE.
Should you have questions, please contact us at 813-994-1000 or via fl-caseaide@chinesechildren.org. We realize you have taken a leap of faith in joining the CCAI family, and we very much look forward to assisting you in your “journey of a lifetime!”
Sincerely,
Your CCAI-Florida Staff
Adoption Dossier Explanation
Preparing the Dossier is explained in detail in the Adoption Dossier Guide. You will be able to download your Dossier Guide from the Parent Access Network on the CCAI web site once CCAI-FL has received your signed Service Agreements, Fee Agreement and first CCAI agency fee. It is imperative that you download the Guide, and have it available during your Orientation. We do not, however, recommend that you take action on any dossier documentation until you have completed Orientation, and have completed the online Dossier Orientation presentation.
The dossier is a compilation of all adoption related documents required by the Chinese government as explained in the Adoption Law of PR China and Implementation Measures on the Adoption of Children by Foreigners in PR China. The China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA), the highest Chinese official agency responsible for processing and screening your adoption qualifications, will determine your qualifications based on your dossier. Therefore, it is extremely important to compile your dossier according to the requirements of the Chinese government.
Documents included in the Dossier are:
1 Adoption Petition
2 Husband Birth Certificate
3 Wife Birth Certificate
4 Marriage Certificate
5 Husband Employment Verification
6 Wife Employment Verification
7 Financial Statement
8 Husband Physical Examination Report
9 Wife Physical Examination Report
10 Doctor letter(s) (if applicable)
11 Husband Local Police Clearance Report
12 Wife Local Police Clearance Report
13 I-797
14 Home Study
15 Passport Copies (Photo and signature page only)
16 Eight family life, three couple photos, and three passport photos each
17 Three notarized reference copies (CCAI-FL will take care of this for you)
Home Study Explanation
The home study is a representation of you, your history, your current situation, and your hopes and dreams with regard to this adoption. It is written by a CCAI social worker following receipt of all documentation, completion of the required four interviews, and following at least some participation in parent training courses. The home study document is required by the State of Florida, USCIS, and China.
Preparing for the home study is discussed in-depth during the Orientation, but you may anticipate that the following documentation will be needed:
1. Photocopy of Adoption Petition
2. Photocopy of Husband Birth Certificate
3. Photocopy of Wife Birth Certificate
4. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate
5. Photocopy of Husband Employment Verification
6. Photocopy of Wife Employment Verification
7. Photocopy of Financial Statement
8. Photocopy of the first two pages of your latest tax return
9. Photocopy of Husband Physical Examination Report
10. Photocopy of Wife Physical Examination Report
11. Photocopy of Doctor letter(s) (if applicable)
12. Photocopy of Husband Local Police Clearance Report
13. Photocopy of Wife Local Police Clearance Report
14. Photocopy of Husband Florida State clearances
15. Photocopy of Wife Florida State clearances
16. Photocopy of Florida Child Abuse Network clearance ( husband and wife on same form)
17. Prior residence state/country clearances (prepared and presented to you at Orientation)
18. Applicant Autobiographies
19. Directions to your home
20. Floor plan
So we will be VERY busy! Pray for us as this journey officially begins!
For those who want to know what are next steps look like I have included the first 3 pages of the 20 page outline we received yesterday!
Dear Katie and Nick,
Congratulations! After careful review and approval of your Application for Adoption, CCAI-FL is pleased to invite you to attend the Adoption Orientation to be held on April 14, 2012, at the CCAI-FL offices located at 5814 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544. Please note that all required items in the second list below must be received by CCAI-FL prior to the scheduled event. Applicants with incomplete files will be notified two days prior to the scheduled Orientation that they have been re-scheduled for the next Orientation.
The Orientation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will end at 11:30 a.m. In the best interest of all families attending Orientation, we are unable to accommodate children at these events. Thank you for your understanding.
This packet includes a number of documents for informational purposes only:
1. Adoption Dossier explanation
2. Adoption Home Study explanation
3. “Staying Connected” Memo
4. “How Are We Doing?” Memo
5. Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption Complaint Registry
This packet also includes a number of documents which applicants must complete and return to CCAI-FL prior to Orientation attendance:
1. Residential History form
2. Release and Consent form (all adults in home complete this form - everyone on same form)
3. Central Abuse Hotline Record Search form (Fill out the first page, and then also list all persons, including applicants, any additional adults, and children on the second page. Provide social security numbers for each)
4. FDLE Criminal History Information Request (print one form for each person in the home, age 12 or older)
5. Firearms Safety Acknowledgement Form (all adults in home, 18 and older, must sign)
6. Two copies of the Service Agreement (both applicants must sign in front of a notary)
7. Fee Policy Agreement (both applicants must sign in front of a notary)
8. Applicant Autobiographies (Use enclosed Guidelines to complete. These should be in narrative
form, between 6 and 8 pages.)
9. CCAI-FL Home Study Documentation Checklist, Part I form (to help you keep track of your progress as you compile the above list. This is the last document in the packet. You will receive the CCAI-FL Home Study Documentation Checklist, Part II form in your Orientation Packet. You will receive CCAI-FL Home Study Documentation Checklist, Part III via email, upon CCAI-FL’s receipt of your home study draft from your social worker. )
In addition to the above listed documents to be immediately returned to CCAI-FL, please also remit:
1. First Agency fee of $3,350.00. Please make check out to CCAI.
2. FDLE Criminal History fee of $24.00 per person; a single check, made out to FDLE.
Should you have questions, please contact us at 813-994-1000 or via fl-caseaide@chinesechildren.org. We realize you have taken a leap of faith in joining the CCAI family, and we very much look forward to assisting you in your “journey of a lifetime!”
Sincerely,
Your CCAI-Florida Staff
Adoption Dossier Explanation
Preparing the Dossier is explained in detail in the Adoption Dossier Guide. You will be able to download your Dossier Guide from the Parent Access Network on the CCAI web site once CCAI-FL has received your signed Service Agreements, Fee Agreement and first CCAI agency fee. It is imperative that you download the Guide, and have it available during your Orientation. We do not, however, recommend that you take action on any dossier documentation until you have completed Orientation, and have completed the online Dossier Orientation presentation.
The dossier is a compilation of all adoption related documents required by the Chinese government as explained in the Adoption Law of PR China and Implementation Measures on the Adoption of Children by Foreigners in PR China. The China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA), the highest Chinese official agency responsible for processing and screening your adoption qualifications, will determine your qualifications based on your dossier. Therefore, it is extremely important to compile your dossier according to the requirements of the Chinese government.
Documents included in the Dossier are:
1 Adoption Petition
2 Husband Birth Certificate
3 Wife Birth Certificate
4 Marriage Certificate
5 Husband Employment Verification
6 Wife Employment Verification
7 Financial Statement
8 Husband Physical Examination Report
9 Wife Physical Examination Report
10 Doctor letter(s) (if applicable)
11 Husband Local Police Clearance Report
12 Wife Local Police Clearance Report
13 I-797
14 Home Study
15 Passport Copies (Photo and signature page only)
16 Eight family life, three couple photos, and three passport photos each
17 Three notarized reference copies (CCAI-FL will take care of this for you)
Home Study Explanation
The home study is a representation of you, your history, your current situation, and your hopes and dreams with regard to this adoption. It is written by a CCAI social worker following receipt of all documentation, completion of the required four interviews, and following at least some participation in parent training courses. The home study document is required by the State of Florida, USCIS, and China.
Preparing for the home study is discussed in-depth during the Orientation, but you may anticipate that the following documentation will be needed:
1. Photocopy of Adoption Petition
2. Photocopy of Husband Birth Certificate
3. Photocopy of Wife Birth Certificate
4. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate
5. Photocopy of Husband Employment Verification
6. Photocopy of Wife Employment Verification
7. Photocopy of Financial Statement
8. Photocopy of the first two pages of your latest tax return
9. Photocopy of Husband Physical Examination Report
10. Photocopy of Wife Physical Examination Report
11. Photocopy of Doctor letter(s) (if applicable)
12. Photocopy of Husband Local Police Clearance Report
13. Photocopy of Wife Local Police Clearance Report
14. Photocopy of Husband Florida State clearances
15. Photocopy of Wife Florida State clearances
16. Photocopy of Florida Child Abuse Network clearance ( husband and wife on same form)
17. Prior residence state/country clearances (prepared and presented to you at Orientation)
18. Applicant Autobiographies
19. Directions to your home
20. Floor plan
So we will be VERY busy! Pray for us as this journey officially begins!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Why international?
Just today, I was reminded again that not everyone understands why a family may chose international adoption when so many children here in the U.S. need homes as well. I think this is a personal decision for every family. For us personally, there is no doubt God has called us to adopt internationally. I really can't explain this...but we feel totally at peace with this decision. We did explore domestic adoption (during a 3-hour seminar), but it is not where we feel led. Everyone is called to something different...that is why God is God and we shouldn't ask questions.
But when Nick and I look at the numbers this is also our WHY and more specifically why special needs in China.
In our world today it is estimated that there are more than 143,000,000 orphaned children (130,000 in the US). Often sick and medically fragile children are left to die. In some orphanages, the death rates are as high as 20%. Asia has an estimated 61.5 million orphans. In CHINA there are more than 40,000 orphanages with an estimated 3 million orphans. Two in five babies entering the system die. In response to concern of over-population in China, the government enforced a "one child" policy. Compounding the problem is the cultural response to boys and girls. The birth of a boy is celebrated, while the birth of a girl is not acknowledged.
The fact is it doesn't really matter why...but inevitably people will wonder. Geez, we even wonder sometimes...but God is God and we are answering His call...even when we don't understand WHY!
But when Nick and I look at the numbers this is also our WHY and more specifically why special needs in China.
In our world today it is estimated that there are more than 143,000,000 orphaned children (130,000 in the US). Often sick and medically fragile children are left to die. In some orphanages, the death rates are as high as 20%. Asia has an estimated 61.5 million orphans. In CHINA there are more than 40,000 orphanages with an estimated 3 million orphans. Two in five babies entering the system die. In response to concern of over-population in China, the government enforced a "one child" policy. Compounding the problem is the cultural response to boys and girls. The birth of a boy is celebrated, while the birth of a girl is not acknowledged.
The fact is it doesn't really matter why...but inevitably people will wonder. Geez, we even wonder sometimes...but God is God and we are answering His call...even when we don't understand WHY!
Monday, March 12, 2012
No News!
It's been a week since my last post so I thought I would post a little update. We are still waiting for our application to be approved and then the madness will begin! The agency is waiting on one more reference and as long as it's positive we should be good to go! WAHOO!
Yesterday, at church Nick and I were asked to give our testimonies! I was a nervous wreck. However, my normally not so talkative husband could have given the sermon! He rocked! I am sooooo proud of him...in more ways than one. He is an incredible man! I plan to post some of our testimony here so those who read (or even just our little girl one day) can see how adoption has changed us!
Yesterday, at church Nick and I were asked to give our testimonies! I was a nervous wreck. However, my normally not so talkative husband could have given the sermon! He rocked! I am sooooo proud of him...in more ways than one. He is an incredible man! I plan to post some of our testimony here so those who read (or even just our little girl one day) can see how adoption has changed us!
Monday, March 5, 2012
I Surrender
I have to admit that today was a day filled with anxiety and just feeling plain overwhelmed! One of those days that I wonder how we will fit adoption into our schedules and finances! Part of this anxiety entered at the pediatric opthamologist early this morning. Ethan will mostly likely need surgery for his lazy eye. After a huge bill and looming surgery I left the doctors office feeling defeated. I was quickly reminded of this verse-
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you."
I am so thankful I don't have to have it all figured out..
All to You I Surrender
Everything,
Every part of me.
All of my dreams, all of me!
I surrender to you God
I surrender because I trust you God
I surrender because Your ways are far above mine
I surrender all to you my God!
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you."
I am so thankful I don't have to have it all figured out..
All to You I Surrender
Everything,
Every part of me.
All of my dreams, all of me!
I surrender to you God
I surrender because I trust you God
I surrender because Your ways are far above mine
I surrender all to you my God!
This is WHY!!!
This was taken from Haley over at His Plan our Joy (one of my favorite blogs). I had to copy exactly what she wrote because this VERY video and her words spoke to Nick more than I could ever express with my own words!!! We have watched it over and over...it just might change your life! He used it to change ours!
Why do you adopt? Why did you adopt internationally? Why would you adopt a child with medical needs? Why are you so 'activist' about all this orphan care stuff?
If you really want to know why, I can think of no better way to explain than to ask you to watch this video. In fact, even if you don't wonder why, I want to encourage you... urge you... to just spend the next seven minutes watching and listening with an open heart.
Your kingdom come, Lord. On Earth as it is in heaven.
This prayer is prayed in nearly every church across America.
What if we lived what we pray? What if?
Why do you adopt? Why did you adopt internationally? Why would you adopt a child with medical needs? Why are you so 'activist' about all this orphan care stuff?
If you really want to know why, I can think of no better way to explain than to ask you to watch this video. In fact, even if you don't wonder why, I want to encourage you... urge you... to just spend the next seven minutes watching and listening with an open heart.
Your kingdom come, Lord. On Earth as it is in heaven.
This prayer is prayed in nearly every church across America.
What if we lived what we pray? What if?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Our Official Email Announcement
Hi Family and Friends!
To many of you this is NO suprise, but we have been praying about adoption since October 2011. During these last four months, God has really done some amazing things in our life! Soooo much to share about how we have grown in these past months...one day I will be able to share all of this! Right now, I am overwhelmed and excited and can't gather my thoughts!
The NEWS is this...we are moving forward with adoption! This verse was laid on our heart in a MAJOR way-
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power TO DO what pleases Him. Phillipians 2:13
So we are moving forward...we have the desire and are now praying for the POWER and RESOURCES to do what He pleases.
As Nick and I hugged and cried this morning as he said "YES" this is the verse that was laying on our kitchen counter-
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes. I will help you, I will hold you with my righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10
So begins our journey to our little girl! More updates to come when I am not soooo emotional and overwhelmed.
I do plan to post on our website for now (and already have and funny my post yesterday was about WAITING and now we are proceeding:))
Please continue to pray for us throughout this journey! Specifically now that our application would be approved and then that we would be able to raise the funds to pay for our first agency fee.
Lots of love from all of us!
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