Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Surprises

I LOVE surprises. I mean, I really really love them! I love the planning. I love the excitement. I love the waiting for the moment of surprise. I love the look on the receiver's face when they realize what is going on. I just love surprises. They make me so happy.


I have always been the planner of surprises. I totally get that from my mom. I know this because my Dad hates surprises with a passion unlike anything I have ever seen. My husband hates surprises too. Which is to bad because I have given him about 5 surprise parties. While he always is sweet about it, I know he hates them. I just know how happy the planning makes me and I want the person I plan to surprise to be just as happy.


However, I don't think I have ever been surprised. It isn't from lack of trying. Poor Scott. He has tried but somehow I always find out. He isn't very good at keeping a surprise a secret. I have learned that around my birthday, anniversary or Christmas to not ask any questions, that way I can be surprised.


We have had a few surprises while raising money for our adoption. People have donated amazing amounts of money to help us get to where we are. People have done what God laid on their heart and we have been able to accomplish so much. I am so thankful for those people.


Yesterday, was a surprise all for me! Never in my life have I been so surprised!


Earlier in the day, I had washed my curtains and rehung them to dry. They were closed so I couldn't see outside. I never heard the UPS guy come. It must have been one of the times the dog was barking like crazy and I just ignored him! Anyway, after the curtains dried I opened them up (I can't stand closed blinds or curtains) and I saw a HUGE box on my porch. I went out and brought it in. It was a box to me from Amazon. I thought it was odd because the last item I ordered from Amazon were cake decorating books and they had all ready come.


I asked Scott if he had ordered anything and he said no. I opened up the box and inside was the most beautiful PINK Kitchen Aid Mixer and a note that said, "This is a gift from some friends and even some people that you don't know and don't know you. But we hope you love it!" Oh my goodness!! I started to cry. It was the nicest, sweetest thing! I couldn't believe it. Talk about surprised!!



I tried to do a little digging and got VERY limited answers as to who this came from. I have some amazing friends! Can you imagine all the cakes, cupcakes and cookies I can make to sell to raise money for our adoption?!?!? What a blessing! I pray that those friends who gave me this wonderful gift receive blessing upon blessing for being so kind to me. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am still as excited as I was yesterday (maybe more) and you know what? I LOVE IT!!!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Urgent Prayer Needed

Last week I came upon a blog written by Tesney and Greg Davis. They are in the process of adopting a sweet little boy with Down Syndrome named Kirill. They were in his region of Russia for a court date on March 17th. They were told that every family that had received a court date in this region had been granted an adoption. I can only imagine the joy they must have felt to see their little boy and know that they were bringing him home. After 5 hours of intense questioning the judge made her decision. Even after strong recommendations from doctors and others they were told "no". The judge felt that this child would be better off in an institution than with a family. She denied this precious one, one of God's creations, a family and a home all because he had down syndrome. As a Christian, American and mother, I have a VERY hard time with this. This is a precious child of God and he has been denied the right to a family. I have known several children with down syndrome in my life and they are the sweetest most precious loving children. It tears my heart apart to think that there are people in this world that believe these children should not have a family. As I was reading their blog to Scott last night we were both devastated for this family. We talked of how impossible it must have felt to get back on a plane to the states and leave Kirill behind. We also talked of how God's grace must have been at it strongest point at that moment in their lives. I pray that His grace will be sufficient for them. So, I am asking all of you to pray. Pray for this family as they appeal this decision. Matthew 18:20 promises us "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The Father is there. He is listening to our desperate cries for this family. He knows our hearts and desires to see this little one home where He belongs. He has a plan. I believe that He is about to do something amazing in the life of this family. Please pray for the judge. Pray that she will change her mind. Pray that she will see the love this family has for Kirill. Pray that her heart will be opened to the benefits of children being adopted. Pray that she will find Jesus. If you would like to follow the Davis' journey you can check out their blog at www.oureyesopened.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Paperwork and Cupcakes

I am super excited that we received our home study paperwork! There is a lot of it, but I do feel one step closer to having my babies home. This will be our 3rd home study so the amount of paperwork really doesn't surprise me. Of course, when it comes to adoption nothing surprises me anymore.

God is continuing to work. We are trying to raise $830 as quickly as possible. This money goes toward our USCIS approval ($670) and our fingerprinting ($160) in order to be approved to adopt children outside the US. This is a payment that must be made after our home study is complete.

We have decided to sell cupcakes with several delivery dates and places. Let me know how many dozen, flavor(s) and pick-up date/location. You can donate whatever you would like for the cupcakes.

Flavors:
Snickerdoodle with a Cinnamon Buttercream Icing
Lemonade Angel Cupcakes with Creamy Lemonade Frosting
Cappuccino Chip Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream Icing
White, Yellow or Chocolate Cupcakes with White or Chocolate Buttercream Icing

Pickup/Drop off Dates and Locations:
Friday, April 1st- Greenwood/Southport Area
Sunday, April 3rd- Shelbyville
Monday, April 4th- Columbus, Hope, Edinburgh Area

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sewing


I have been sewing pillowcase dresses for the last couple of days. Cutting, sewing, ironing, repeat. I think the dresses look adorable and am excited to see them on the 117Project Etsy store!! I have even used up some fabric, which made my husband rejoice!! I plan to ship them off tomorrow and I hope they will make it online by this weekend. If you see one you like, make sure you purchase it at http://www.etsy.com/shop/117project?ref=pr_shop_more



I am really excited to see what the Lord is going to do through this little store. I know that He has big plans.

Friday, March 18, 2011

117Project

As you know, we have begun the 117 project. There is so much going on that I am really glad I am not the one to keep track of everything!! I am amazed at the people all over this country (most of them I don't know) who are stepping up to the plate to help us raise this money to bring our babies home. I love how God works in people's lives. He has given us all the same calling and we are all willing to answer it yet we don't even know each other. God is good! I hope that one day Scott and I will be able to take our kids down to Dallas to meet all these wonderful people who have opened up their hearts to help us.

The first BIG push to raise the next $6500 we need has begun. My friend Amanda has opened an Etsy store. You can find it here http://www.etsy.com/shop/117project?ref=pr_shop_more. There are few items available right now and more will be added every week. People have been making crafts and donating them to be sold. Every penny goes into our adoption fund. I am so excited to see what God is going to do. If you are interested in donating items you can email me at thejourneyhome.todd@gmail.com and I will put you in contact with Amanda. The big Grand Opening for the store will be April 1st!!! I will also try to post items on my blog as they are added to the store.

Thanks so much for checking it out. I need to get back to my sewing machine!!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

New Glasses


My little man now has glasses. Poor little guy has been running into things and we decided maybe we should get his eyes checked. The Dr said he has probably had blurry vision his whole little life! I felt horrible! I had no idea that everything was so blurry to him. He just adjusted and didn't know any different.


After we picked them up, he told his Daddy, "You have big hair!" It is so funny his view on things now that he can see. Everything is so much clearer for him! I am so glad. I know it will take a few days for him to adjust but he is doing great. I am just so thankful that he can now see clearly and he is pretty stinkin cute too!!

Friday, March 11, 2011

50 Posts and $4100!!

Today is my 50th blog!!! Who would have ever thought I would get this far?!?!? It is funny how this blog as allowed me to write about my passion and has turned my passion into something I never dreamed possible. Scott and I are working to adopt two children from Honduras! That is amazing and only God can give you a desire for that.

We started on this journey with the need to raise over $35,000. The sooner the better. After breaking things down we set our sights on the application fee. $175. That was pretty easy to raise by just cutting a few corners here at home. The next step was $4100. Wow! That is a lot of money in a one income family.

We began this fundraising process by selling t-shirts that were designed by my brother-in-law, Brian. (These can still be purchased on the right hand side of our blog.) The 2nd fundraiser was a Chili Dinner and Silent Auction. We had an amazing time and raised over $2000. After that we had a concert with The Ascension Quartet were we raised around $700. Add to that the donations of friends and family and we were looking good.

3 weeks ago we were looking at the need to start fundraising for the next payment, but realized that we were still $500 of our $4100 goal. Through the kindness of an AMAZING friend we reached our goal that very day!!! God worked so quickly! He knew our hearts and He led our friend to give us $500. I pray that God will bless this person in the most amazing ways.

Well, today is the big day! After waiting for money to transfer from our PayPal account to our bank account, I wrote a check for $4100!! I cannot believe this day is finally here. God has provided every penny! He is an AWESOME God. We will now be able to begin the paperwork for our homestudy.

So, today with $50 in our Adoption Fund we begin raising the $850 we need for our USCIS approval ($670) and fingerprints ($160). We know that God will provide just as He has for everything else. He has proven time and time again that this is His plan for our lives and I can't wait to see how He will provide this time!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Why Am I Surprised??

I really don't know why I continue to be surprised. God has called us to adopt and for some reason I continue to be surprised that He is working, that He has a plan for us and our beautiful children and that He is working even when I think He has forgotten us. Why do I do that? Why do I think the He will not complete the work He has begun in me?

I guess it is human nature. Faith requires belief in something we cannot see. I am a visual person and to be honest sometimes it is hard for me to have faith. Sometimes it is hard to believe that Someone I have never seen wants to work in me and through me. That this Someone loves me so much He has a plan for my life and even if I stray from His plan, He does not.

So many times I feel so insignificant. I want to be used by the Father more than anything else in the world. The idea of being chosen by the Creator of this world leaves me feeling so small. Why in a world full of Andy Stanleys, Matt Chandlers, Carlos Whittakers, Brooke Frasers and Kari Jobes would God want to use me? Why would He choose me to be the wife of a man with KINGDOM GREATNESS in him? Why would He choose me to be a mother to the motherless?

So many questions leave me doing less for Him than completing the job He has assigned to me. He has chosen me to be His child!! I am a Child of the King! I am the sister of Jesus Christ! I have been adopted by the Creator of this world and He has called me HIS OWN!!! He wants to use me more than I want to be used by Him.

So I have decided from here on out the question will not be "Why does He want to use me?" but "Where does He want to use me?" I will no longer be surprised that He is working in my life, but I will stand in awe of His power and work humbly to complete the tasks He has given me. I will no longer allow others to dictate the ministry that has been set before me and I will not allow other's opinions keep me from the Father's work. I will follow Him and Him only. He has chosen me and I will forever keep my eyes on Him.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Update

I don't have a lot to update on today, BUT....

I am waiting on the whole 3-5 days for money to transfer from PayPal donations into our account so we can make our first payment!!!!! You would have thought we would have done this a couple of weeks ago, but they put a limit on each month!! I finally figured out how to get rid of the limit and was able to transfer the last little bit!!

So, the first payment being made means we can begin our home study! Completion of our home study means we can apply for grants and HOPEFULLY we will see quicker payments to our agency. I don't think it is to early to ask God to provide grant money. He knows what we need and He will provide.

Today my little man told me that he was saving his coins so that he could go to Mickey's house with his brother and sister. Every day he asks me when they are coming to live with him. He is so excited right now and I am afraid that may change when he realizes they are here forever!! Sharing Mom and Dad may not seem so great after awhile!

Well, I must get back to cleaning this house. I want it to be ready at a moments notice so we can get that home study scheduled, plus it is a good excuse to get all that spring cleaning done before spring so I can focus on spending my time with my little man before everything changes.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

117 Project

I have been talking off and on the last couple of weeks about our new project. I have told you about my friend Amanda (who has and AMAZING heart for God) who felt burdened to help us raise money for our adoption. She created the 117 Project with the help of some friends. I am super excited about this as we are now kicking off our next fundraiser!!! I thought it would be cool if she could tell you how this all came about in her own words.


I've always been fascinated by the thought of adoption. Even when I was a kid I used to think how cool it would be to be adopted. Mind you, I had a wonderful childhood and would not trade my parents for anything in the world, but I used to think how interesting it would be if I had been adopted by them. I believe that to give a loving home to a child, who would not have otherwise, is one of the most honorable things that can be done.

Last year I posted on my Facebook a statistic that I read that simply broke my heart. "If just ONE family out of every church in the United States would adopt an orphan, there would be NO orphans in the US." That thought was staggering to me. My question was then, "Why in the world are there orphans?" How have we as a church failed so greatly at this? How far off the mark have we fallen from the "pure religion" spoken about in James 1:27?

That same Facebook post was commented on by several people and one person wrote, "Well, I can understand this, the adoption process is hard and costs a lot of money." What?!?!? So these two facts are what is keeping ONE family from adopting? Again, I asked "What in the world is wrong with this picture?" If the rest of the church cannot gather around to help and finance ONE family to bring a child into a loving home, we are completely failing the name of Christ! What if that is what Christ had said, "Oh no, that is going to cost too much and be hard" in His adoption for us? Where would be today?

I am not currently in a life position to adopt. While I know there are many single women who adopt in order to fulfil the longing in their hearts (and I commend them), at this time I do not feel that is the direction God has for me. However, I absolutely feel that I am to help financially, emotionally, physically and any other way that I can to help bring these children to loving homes.

As I began to explore what more I could do to help those in the process of adoption, I realized that this has been a life long dream deep in my heart. A dream that I did not know dwelt there until I began to pursue thoughts and ideas around how to help raise funding for my friends who desperately want to adopt and change the life of a child.

With this dream in mind and with the help of several amazing and talented people I am launching the 117Project. This organization is in the beginnings and while not quite fully formed has a mission to fulfill the charge of Isaiah 1:17 --learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widows cause.

There is a lot of work to be done, and details to work through, however, at this time we are set to launch the first project on March 17th. Stay tuned for more details...

Feel free to follow Amanda's blog at tigpan.wordpress.com

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

I Want to do More

The last few weeks have brought a lot of changes in my life. They have definitely been for the better and I am thankful that God took me through the valley to bring me to this point. God has really opened my heart and I have begun focusing upward and ourward rather than inward. God has broken my heart and shown me things I need to change. He has been a patient God.

God has really been pressing on me to do more for orphans. I honestly have no idea what that will be, just that I have this burning desire to do more than I ever thought possible. So many great ideas have come my way but I do not have the peace to choose one.

Waiting to choose a project is a first for me. I am a good Baptist and we tend to get great ideas and put them in motion immediately only to see them fail for lack of planning. Then we are discouraged because our great idea didn't work. I am trying really hard to wait. There are just to many little lives at stake to rush into any decision. God has a plan and I will wait on His timing and I will be positive in the waiting. I have learned that even if I don't see Him working, He is. He may be preparing others and I wouldn't want them to miss out on what He has planned.
So until then, I will wait and pray.