Yard Sale Fundraiser-May 19th

If you read my last post (just posted a few minutes ago), I am no longer on hiatus from fundraising! God has called us to adopt and He will provide, but that doesn't mean I should sit on my hiney while I wait! So it is with great boldnesss that I ask for your used items...donate them to us to help us raise support for our adoption! My good friend Brooke recently encouraged me by saying..."if you had all the money you needed in the bank and just could write a check where would God be in that." Thank you, Brooke! We don't have the money we need in the bank so please help us to raise it! Your junk could make a big impact for a little one in China! Contact me if you would like to donate (and we can arrage a pick up) or would like to volunteer....we need many more! Andrea Eason and I aren't going to cut it alone:) But many thanks to you, Andrea, for being such a faithful friend and encouraging me to do this fundraiser!

Greater Boldness

This last week, as I have mentioned, has not been one of the best...I am just going to be honest here, I have been doubting God...doubting his ability to perform miracles today (even though I KNOW he is quite capable), doubting His providence and sovereignty. I am not proud to admit this as I long for the faith to move mountains...but it has just been one of those weeks that I have felt God's plan for us seems impossible. I will also admit that I have been so discourgaged by fundraising, asking for support, seeking help, etc. This is one area that I thought would be "easy" in the scheme of things. I look back now and realize how silly that was, but I was so much more prepared for all the stress to be involved in compiling our dossier, but DEFINITELY not prepared by the ups and down that asking for support brings. We have totally put ourselves out there. It just kind of stinks sometimes when everyone doesn't understand this mission! So, what did I do...I "quit"...well, in my mind I quit. Yes, I gave up!

Well, today Pastor Dale preached on the Church Redefined from Acts 2-4. Okay, can I just say...whoaaa...God had a message just for me today. In general, the message was this-that we must "GO" and be "BOLD" for Christ. We should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the opportunities that are given to us to reach this world for Christ. The application to our current situation came in this- Peter and John were preaching the gospel bringing thousands to Christ and performing miracles. The Sanhedrin was greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead (Acts 4:2). As Pastor Dale put it, they were pointing their fingers at Peter and John scolding them for preaching what they believed...Jesus! And what did Peter and John do...I bet you can guess they did NOT sulk (like me) or as for protection for themselves. They joined their people and prayed for greater boldness. Acts 4:29, Now, Lord, consider these threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. I am sure Peter and John were afraid (possibly even for their lives), but did they QUIT, did they give up? No, they did what Jesus told them TO DO and obeyed! They greatly proclaimed the gospel and brought many, many more to Christ. They ACTED in BOLDNESS for what God called them to.

The fact is, we are all called to preach the gospel! We are also all called to make a difference in this world. For all of us, that will look different. For Nick and I our mission (our "GO" our "TO DO") is not only adoption, it is to bring awareness to the orphans of this world and what the love of Jesus Christ looks like in action. We should do so with BOLDNESS! I will always now think of John and Peter and the fingers pointed in their faces by their opposition when I get discouraged. There will always be opposition (even though I didn't want to believe it) when you are trying to fulfill missions for Christ. In fact, Pastor Dale said it very well, "Anytime you are being used there will be opposition! In fact, if there isn't opposition we are doing something wrong."

Give me greater boldness oh God!

I leave this post with a few short verses from one of worship songs today by The Church- Now's the time for us to rise and carry hope to hopeless eyes And show this world that mercy is alive. Fill our hearts with Your compassion Let our love be active here!

Gavin Turns FOUR!

Another totsite post here because I am lacking great adoption updates and insight! Feeling somewhat discouraged...not about adoption itself because I still feel we are called to do this...just all the other stuff that goes along with it! Not going to speak about the discouraging part here because there is soooo much to be ENCOURAGED about! Especially when we have a FOUR year old in our house! I cannot imagine what I did before I had kids...only four years have gone by since I laid eyes on my first precious gift from God. Fours years...so short, but long enough to not remember too much about life before Gavin Nicolas. Life with Gavin is so much better than without Gavin! Words will never do justice about my feelings for my sweet boy, but I will try!

Gavin, You are mommy's dream come true...much like the book we read so much "God Gave Us You." You are my little pea in the pod! Daddy says we are so much alike and I would have to agree. We are the talkers in our family. We don't like messes and always take our shoes off in houses:)! But you are more like your daddy in other areas...you are sooooo smart and kind! You bring so much joy to our house and every adventure with you is more fun! I love that you are sweet and sensitive and especially that you already love Jesus! Every night before bed you still ask, "Who is going to be here soon?" Now you can answer all by yourself..."Mommy, daddy, Ethan, Gavin, Jesus and God." I love your sweet spirit and that you already know "Jesus and God" will be here when we wake! I love that when you are not being kind to Pauly that I can say what does Jesus say about sharing...you reply that He says "Be kind to one another!" You are my joy and my bud! I love you more than words! Happy birthday, sweet pea! You are my everything, Mommy

Success!

I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who came out to support us last night and BOUGHT cake pops-we sold out and raised over $700.00! It was so encouraging to see so many of your faces...especially since a lot of you came just to help us! Many thanks to Amber Emmons Paquet who worked extremely hard! Also to Michelle Matarazzo who was the co-captian! Also thank you to all those who helped bake,bag and bow as well! My cup runneth over! Look for more fundraisers to come! And don't forget the Thirty One fundraiser ends today at 8:00 pm

Cake Pops!!!!

CALLING all east side/Avalon friends!!! Please, please, please come by our Cake Pop booth at Absolutely Avalon THIS Sat. from 5:00-9:00 pm. We will be to the right of the stage. Buy an amazing cake pop and enter for your chance to win an order of cake pops for your next party from Bite Sized! Petite Sweets! Her cake pops are delish. Saturday we will feature mint chocolate chip, strawberry shortcake, funfetti, death by chocolate, and vanilla cake pops! YUMMO!!! See you Saturday!

Orientation

We had a phone conference orientation last night with CCAI. If I thought the maddness had already begun...I had NO IDEA what more was in store. My friend, Kim, let me see their dossier, but oh my word, hearing exactly what was entailed in getting documents certified for China standards is CRAZY! Just to enlighten those of you who aren't familiar with international adoption in order for a document to go through authentication it has to go through a ton of offices. For example, in order for our birth certificates to be up to China standards they have to be notarized, then sent to the secretary of state who will certify it, then we must send it to the Chinese Consulate in Houston, TX to authenticate it. This has to happen for about 15 documents needed for our dossier. We need physicals, police clearance reports, passports, financial statements, employment verifications, etc. I am not even going to go into what a home study entails. And we will also need to work on I-797 by the USCIS. I don't even know what that really is yet, but I know it's a 26 page application...

So why am I blogging instead of working? In the weeks to come there will be a lot less blogging and a lot more document chasing. If you want to see me maybe we can set a date at the sheriff's office, physicians office, or feel free to come along for fingerprints.

Non-Adoption Fun

I haven't posted in a couple days...we have been busy focusing on The Peterman Farm Party for the boys birthday. I think of it as one last, planned before adoption, extravaganza! I love party planning (hey, that might be a good way to fundraise...anyone want to hire me...lol), but it is exhausting in the midst of international adoption. However, it was so nice to focus on fun for my boys and their friends and leave all the other stresses of life behind for a few days! And, now I am done with thinking about birthday parties for another year:) I posted this to our totsites, but thought I would share here...more pics to come soon, hopefully!

We had an fun filled weekend! I had such a great time, but TODAY, the exhaustion has set in and this mama is sooooo TIRED!!!! Thanks to many people (who I will list later in the this post because they are so awesome that I must mention by name) the boys had a great party on The Peterman Farm! Our backyard was transformed for the big day and everything was just sooo cute if I do say so myself. Gavin was so happy the party was finally happening since he spent months looking through the party stuff in my closet. He said his favorite part of the day was the puppet show. Ethan's favorite part was the bounce house I am sure...he LOVED it. The only drawback was that the bounce house arrived at 7:00 am and the party didn't start until 10:00 so Pauly was worn out before his guests even arrived. At one point in the party, Gavin also decided he was ready for bed, but got his second wind when we offered cake! I love planning the boys parties and I love themes! I do NOT love the clean up involved, but it was all worth it to see all the kids having so much fun and to have my family and friends all together at one time especially our little Sebring/Avon Park travelers. So here comes the thank you part....Gavin and Ethan when you read this one day you will know how much you are loved (and how much your mommy is too).

Mom/Em, Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you did (and Dad too). The centerpieces were adorable and the food was so yummy. Thanks for raiding your house for all things farm and helping me DO everything even setting up/cooking at 5:00 am. Most of all, thank you that you love us so much that these things aren't a chore to you...you enjoy them! You and dad are the best and so giving!

Peep nests made by Em

Auntie Amber-Thank you for ALL your help. Thank you for the cake pops...they were pure perfection and we all LOVED them! Thanks for arranging the precious cake at a steal! And for all your help setting up too.

Auntie Shell-Thanks for giving us the hay and hauling it here! It made the FARM. Thanks for stuffing eggs and for helping us the night before too. And of course, for always being my photographer!

Lisa-I don't know if you even read this, but you are the sweetest person I know. I am so glad to know you and that Gavin got to spend a year in your class. Thank you for making the trees and the banner...one day I will be able to repay the favor!

Food table (food hadn't come out yet) with banner made by Ms. Lisa

Ms. Katrina-Thank you for donating your time to us ...we all LOVED Kindermusic...especially Gavin! It was a hit and a perfect party addition.

Nick/Daddy-Thanks for letting me have one more party here! I know the timing wasn't the best...I would have planned it differently had I known where we would be with adoption! But you are such a good sport...you probably worked the hardest out of us all with all the set up of tents and tables and chairs and returns of all those borrowed things as well. And thank you for knowing I want it all cleaned up before we go to bed:) I love you and I love that you love our boys so much and are SOOOOO involved in their lives!

Family and Friends-Thank you for coming and loving my sweet boys!

Uncle Charlie and Ethan Paul

So now I feel like I won an Oscar with this THANK YOU speech...lol! My cup runneth over y'all!

Happy birthday sweet babies...we all love you to infinity and beyond!

Worry

In these last days, I have decided that fundraising and asking for support,waiting, planning, asking for help, etc. is MUCH harder than I thought it would be. $25,000.00 seems really unattainable in a years time. Adding to my doubt has been hearing things like why would you adopt if you can't afford it, etc. Fact is, in these last days (and as a result of hearing some of these thoughts) has left me wondering myself. While this battle is raging in my mind God said this to me...Katie, if you would just seek Me with all you have and put me first you need not worry. The fact is, although I still have made time for God it has been the LAST thing on my agenda instead of the first. So being obeident, yesterday and even again last night I spent some real time with the Lord. As I was flipping to John where I was reading about the crucifixion I came across Luke 12:22-34...no coincidence I know. Again, God gave me just what I needed at the perfect time. He said this Katie, do not worry about your life, what you will eat: or about your body, what you will wear (or how you will pay for adoption). Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Then he goes on to tell me Katie, why do you have so little faith? Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink (or how to pay for adoption); do not WORRY about it. But if you, Katie, seek MY Kingdom, all these things will be given to you. Point taken, Lord!

So as if that wasn't enough to knock me of my feet I began reading one of my favorite blogs, No Hands But Ours. I came across a story of a family that had also adopted a SN little girl from China whose plan didn't quite happen as they expected. The mom writing the blog said this which was also EXACTLY what I needed to hear.

*We think that the goal is the purpose, when actually it is sometimes the JOURNEY that is the purpose. The things we learn on the journey are the things He wants to teach us.

I am now convinced more than ever that for us, His plan for us isn't just adoption. It's so much more...it is the JOURNEY...it is the ups and the downs and the seeking Him through it all with total trust...and seeing how He works it all out according to His good purpose!

Thirty-One Fundraiser

We have been so blessed to have a few people offer to have fundraisers for us! One such person is my friend and neighbor, Christina Hedke. Christina is a Thirty-One consultant and offered a party giving us 30% of all purchases. Christina, if you read this...THANK YOU so much for your willingness to help us!

And for those of you who love Thirty-One (or even if you don't check it out), please consider making purchases through my online party and support our adoption.

Click on the link to the right under our PayPal button (mythirtyone.com/hedke)-> -> -> ->

Here you can view the catalog and specials. Click on My Events-Peterman Fundraiser. Once you are on there click SHOP NOW next to that. This party won't stay open long-term so if you plan to purchase please do so in the next two weeks.

It's a win/win...you will get awesome bags, totes, and organizers...we will get closer to bringing our little girl home!

And don't forget the post below...we sell coffee too! LOL!