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.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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.
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...
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.
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.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Crafting
I love to make crafts. Whether it is sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, papercrafts, etc... I LOVE it! There have been several times in my life where I have had to "scale back" because I have to many projects/hobbies going on at once. I think my husband hates the craft store. I always seem to come back with more. He doesn't seem to understand why I need MORE fabric/paper/yarn when I have so much sitting in the spare room.
For me, fabric initiates creativity! You never know what a piece of fabric might become. I fall in love with fabric long before I know what it will become. I look at it and touch it and imagine the possibilities. I have my favorites that sit and wait for the perfect project. Some have been waiting a VERY long time!
Not long ago, a friend came to me with the suggestion of opening an Etsy store and selling donated handmade items to raise money for our adoption. We will opening the store on March 1st. The money raised will go to our adoption, but when we have completed that task we will continue to another project. This store will not be a one hit wonder. We hope it will continue to help others raise money for the projects God has laid on their heart.
So, in the true Etsy spirit of handmade goodness, I will be crafting away! I plan to use up most of my fabric or yarn or paper! Those pieces that have been waiting, will be waiting no more! Not only will we be raising money for our adoption, but the spare room will be cleaned out and my husband will be so happy to see it go! It is a win/win for everyone!
So, in the true Etsy spirit of handmade goodness, I will be crafting away! I plan to use up most of my fabric or yarn or paper! Those pieces that have been waiting, will be waiting no more! Not only will we be raising money for our adoption, but the spare room will be cleaned out and my husband will be so happy to see it go! It is a win/win for everyone!
So, stay tuned for more info about the store coming VERY soon!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Ethiopian Adoption- The Kraus Family
My friend Christy and her husband, Kevin and their three girls are working to raise money to adopt a child from Ethiopia. Christy and I have known each other for about 5 years when we worked together. She taught music and I taught PreK-3 and Kindergarten. We both hit it off and have kept in touch ever since I "retired" to be a stay-at-home mom.
Last year, Christy began asking me questions about adoption and we talked on and off. Later she told me that she and her husband decided to adopt internationally! Well, you can imagine how excited I was!! I always get excited when people say they are adopting but more so when it is a friend.
Kevin and Christy are currently doing a cookbook fundraiser. This cookbook was put together by friends and family and has some great recipes. Make sure you go to http://tastinggodsgrace.blogspot.com/ to order your cookbook. I've ordered mine, make sure you place your order today!! We need to bring this baby home!!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
$500
Last week, my friend Amanda sent me a message asking me to check out the blog of another family raising money to adopt a little girl. I read the blog and have been reading everyday since. I love the creative ideas that she has come up with to raise money for their adoption. Amanda wanted to help us raise money to bring our babies home and we have come up with several ideas that we will share at a later date.
We had made the decision to start the next fundraiser on March 1st. The plan is to raise the 2nd payment amount for our adoption. The only problem was that we still needed to complete the first adoption payment. I decided to sit down and start crunching numbers. After figuring up some totals, I discovered we would only need $500 to make our first payment!!! Scott and I began tossing ideas around. We wanted to raise $500 by the end of February so we could start March off with a bang!
I began to pray and ask God what we could do. I have never been the type of person that thinks God should just hand over the money. I have always been willing to work hard for every penny we have received for our fund. This time was no exception. Nothing we came up with was giving us peace. We didn't want to ask our church family to help us again because they had been helping so much all ready so we just kept praying.
Later last night, I felt that God had given me an idea. I was ready to make a push for this last $500. It was going to take a lot of time, but I didn't care. I want nothing more than to bring my babies home. I was willing to work night and day to get this done. I had all my supplies out and was ready to sit down and watch a movie while I worked. Before I did that, I decided to check my email one last time. Instead of checking my regular email, I checked out adoption email. I don't check it every day and I honestly don't know why I checked it last night.
When I pulled it up, I saw that someone had made a donation through our blog for...you guessed it...$500!! I couldn't believe it! I just started crying! I was so excited! I even called the person and thanked them over and over. Thank you just doesn't begin to express the gratitude I have had in my heart for every person that has helped us along the way.
So now the money is there and we can make our first payment. We will be able to start our home study!! That means 1 payment down and 3 to go plus other fees!! Thank you Jesus!!
Isn't it funny how we ask God to do something and then we are totally shocked when He does it? I was so surprised. I was so focused on doing this in my own strength that I never dreamed that God would lay it on someone's heart to just give $500 to our fund.
I was reminded yet again, that even when it feels that God isn't working, He is. He has been working in my friend Amanda's life concerning adoption. He has been working in this person's life concerning adoption. He has not forgotten us! He has not forgotten the call He placed on our life! What a MIGHTY God we serve!
We had made the decision to start the next fundraiser on March 1st. The plan is to raise the 2nd payment amount for our adoption. The only problem was that we still needed to complete the first adoption payment. I decided to sit down and start crunching numbers. After figuring up some totals, I discovered we would only need $500 to make our first payment!!! Scott and I began tossing ideas around. We wanted to raise $500 by the end of February so we could start March off with a bang!
I began to pray and ask God what we could do. I have never been the type of person that thinks God should just hand over the money. I have always been willing to work hard for every penny we have received for our fund. This time was no exception. Nothing we came up with was giving us peace. We didn't want to ask our church family to help us again because they had been helping so much all ready so we just kept praying.
Later last night, I felt that God had given me an idea. I was ready to make a push for this last $500. It was going to take a lot of time, but I didn't care. I want nothing more than to bring my babies home. I was willing to work night and day to get this done. I had all my supplies out and was ready to sit down and watch a movie while I worked. Before I did that, I decided to check my email one last time. Instead of checking my regular email, I checked out adoption email. I don't check it every day and I honestly don't know why I checked it last night.
When I pulled it up, I saw that someone had made a donation through our blog for...you guessed it...$500!! I couldn't believe it! I just started crying! I was so excited! I even called the person and thanked them over and over. Thank you just doesn't begin to express the gratitude I have had in my heart for every person that has helped us along the way.
So now the money is there and we can make our first payment. We will be able to start our home study!! That means 1 payment down and 3 to go plus other fees!! Thank you Jesus!!
Isn't it funny how we ask God to do something and then we are totally shocked when He does it? I was so surprised. I was so focused on doing this in my own strength that I never dreamed that God would lay it on someone's heart to just give $500 to our fund.
I was reminded yet again, that even when it feels that God isn't working, He is. He has been working in my friend Amanda's life concerning adoption. He has been working in this person's life concerning adoption. He has not forgotten us! He has not forgotten the call He placed on our life! What a MIGHTY God we serve!
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