Monday, April 20, 2009

Amen

I WOULD GATHER CHILDREN

Some would gather money Along the path of life,
Some would gather roses, And rest from worldly strife;
But, I would gather children From among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl, And a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter In that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered Soon will wilt along the way.
But, Oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven I can take them in with me. -unknown

Saturday, April 11, 2009




Thursday, April 2, 2009

Baby Girl

As I reviewed our home study document yesterday, I found that in the homestudy, it states that we "are interested in adopting one boy or possibly one boy/one girl sibling group" Well, we are interested and know we are to adopt a boy and a girl, sibling or non-sibling group. So...this had me a bit concerned, and I emailed our agencies to let them know of the error. I've been assured that all will be fine, and the necessary changes will be made.

You may or may not know this, but when we found out we were pregnant with Jules, it was a TOTAL surprise. I remember my grandma McWilliams was at the house when the doctor's office called, and I promptly told them, as I held my 13 month-old son on my hip, that "NO, that's not possible..." And I was SURE of it. Kay, my midwife, called me back later, and again I told her it wasn't possible. I was nursing, on birth control, and had not yet had a period since the birth of Cole ( I know, too much information) Anyway, Kay assured me, that yes, I was indeed pregnant. Wow! So, we began an emotional roller coaster of disbelief to excitement. When we went in at 5 weeks for an ultrasound to be sure everything was okay, "Kay looked at us and said that she wasn't sure this pregnancy was going to happen. What?! Something looked odd in the ultrasound and when they looked at my bloodwork, the numbers weren't where they were supposed to be. I was also bleeding a bit, which also added to the concern. I really don't remember how many days it was, but we thought we were miscarrying, and there was nothing more anyone could tell us. Well, as you know, all turned out well...Jules is healthy. Praise God. I tell you all of this because reading the homestudy yesterday reminded me of this. Early on, we began praying about the possibility of adopting two children. It seemed like an incomprehensible task at the time. The thought wouldn't go away, and Jim and I both know by now that when God places something in your mind and then in your heart, you better pay attention to it. So, we finally settled on the fact, that yes, we are to adopt two children at this time. As I drove home yesterday, after talking with our adoption agency, I thought, wow, this is just like Jules. Not even imaginable that we'd have her, excitement, devastation at the thought of losing her, pure joy at the sight of her. So it is with this little girl. I can't explain to anyone any other way than to say, think of one of your children, anywhere in the world, you would do ANYTHING to go get them and bring them home.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, "Give them up!"
and to the south, "Do not hold them back."
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."
~Isaiah 43:5-7

80s for Orphans

Announcing a Totally Rad 80s party...


We will be hosting an 80s for Orphans night at our home on June 6. We've not yet determined the time, but it will begin late afternoon-early evening. We will have at least one band, hopefully two, and some acoustic music as well.

We are asking everyone to bring an appetizer to share. We will have hot dogs or bbq available. It is BYOB.

This is a fundraising event for our adoption. To bring two children home from Ethiopia, it will cost somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000 dollars.

All are welcome, including children.

Start thinking of your costume. Here are some ideas: off-the-shoulder "Flashdance" sweater, Miami Vice apparel, crimped hair, mullets, big hoop earrings, leg warmers (old cut-off sweater, polo shirt (raised collar), sunglasses...

Find a photo: Find a photo of yourself from the 80s (BIG hair, mullets, racing stripes in the side of the hair)
(If you weren't in school in the 80s, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about...just bring one from your school days)

We'll send out an official invite via email or regular mail in the future.