Check out this amazing opportunity! It costs you NOTHING, just register and vote. Please do read what it is that you are registering for to be sure that you are in agreement.
Several ministries that we are partnering with personally or as Abba ministry have opportunity to receive much needed funds!
Go to Giving of Life Campaign and vote between now and 5:00 PM EST on November 4! Ask your friends to do the same!
One of the most precious ministries that I had the pleasure of speaking with last week is God's Littlest Angels a ministry to the children of Haiti is now in 3rd place...how incredible would it be for them to move to first?!
There are also SEVERAL ministires listed that need your votes!
The ABBA Fund is not far behind as one of the top voted for ministries, they help fund adoptions!
Orphan Outreach serving Guatemala, Honduras, India & Russia...they also do backpacks & undies for orphan collections:)
Children's Hope Chest serving Russia, India, Uganda, Swaziland, Ethiopia, South Africa and much more
Both Hands from Lifesong serving widows & helping to fund adoptions...we're hoping to serve with them!
and local as well as incredible ministry of Embrace Go and vote for them too!
While you're there voting and checking out these amazing ministries or others you may find listed, pray for them and the children that they serve. As God begins to open your eyes and heart to the needs seek ways for you and your family to partner with these that do so much!
God is doing the impossible...as only He can!
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” -Isaiah 1:17
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Gospel for Asia
At first this may seem like a strange ministry to mention on a blog about adoption and orphan care. Truly this is Abba our Daddy God is very concerned about. Gospel for Asia, focused on mainly South Asian countries of:
India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Donating to a Ministry that Touches Your Heart
Joining the Prayer Team
Sponsoring a missionary
Sponsoring a Bridge of Hope Child
Equipping a Women Missionary
There are many ways to support this ministry alongside your family. You can read more details about Gospel for Asia here. We will have information from Gospel for Asia as well as copies of No Longer a Slumdog on November 6, 2011 Orphan Sunday in the atrium area from 9:00-12:00.
India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Donating to a Ministry that Touches Your Heart
Joining the Prayer Team
Sponsoring a missionary
Sponsoring a Bridge of Hope Child
Equipping a Women Missionary
There are many ways to support this ministry alongside your family. You can read more details about Gospel for Asia here. We will have information from Gospel for Asia as well as copies of No Longer a Slumdog on November 6, 2011 Orphan Sunday in the atrium area from 9:00-12:00.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Power of a Prayer Mommy...and Daddy:)
Overwhelmed by reminders of God's faithfulness. There have been now 4 women that have been praying for and advocating for our precious soon-to-be son. Several of these precious Prayer Mommies have been praying for years!
We are overwhelmed by glimpses of His plan (and precious pictures of our son!!!) before we knew he existed. Glimpses of His soverignty and radience that always was even before the framing of the world began.
We know that prayer is powerful. Truly humbled by the reminder of the power of a Prayer Mommy...and perhaps a Prayer Daddy too:)
Will you take your position as a child of God and become a Prayer Mommy or Prayer Daddy for an orphan today?
When you do pray, please pray expectantly and consistently for the fatherless and the motherless.
Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
We are overwhelmed by glimpses of His plan (and precious pictures of our son!!!) before we knew he existed. Glimpses of His soverignty and radience that always was even before the framing of the world began.
We know that prayer is powerful. Truly humbled by the reminder of the power of a Prayer Mommy...and perhaps a Prayer Daddy too:)
Will you take your position as a child of God and become a Prayer Mommy or Prayer Daddy for an orphan today?
When you do pray, please pray expectantly and consistently for the fatherless and the motherless.
Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Orphan Sunday 2011
We're prayerfully getting ready for our first Orphan Sunday at CCBC! Very excited and grateful for the opportunity to share our passion and ministry with the whole church body.
We will have tables with materials and information from a variety of ministries & agencies. Our goal is not to just raise awareness but to equip for action!
There are many ways to act on behalf of orphans as individuals or together as a family. For this year, we've planned to have information from adoption/foster care agencies that are local, national and that we know personally or know of families that have personally worked with them. The church is neither promoting or endorsing one specific agency or ministry, but there are folks that are in process or have previously worked with most of the ministries or agencies.
Both Brian & I as well as Jeff & Amy will be available to speak to you and follow up with you on Orphan Sunday and beyond. We know personally how challenging the adoption and foster care journey can be. And how amazing it can be too. There is much to discover about caring for orphans including the adoptable and sponsorships!
If you want more info be sure to email or tell us what your questions are and we plan to have a panel-style meeting in the future:)
Adoption & Foster Care
Buckner
Dillon
Gladney
Little Flower
Refuge House
AAC
Chosen Child
God's Littlest Angels in Haiti
Embrace
Tapestry
The Journey
Bibles for Babes
Heart Gallery
Orphan Care & Support
Christian Alliance for Orphans
Show Hope
As Our Own
Lifesong for Orphans
Lifesong for Orphans McBrides in Zambia
Hope for Orphans
Nehemiah Vision Ministries
Project HOPEFUL
CCBC Mission trips/activities
Helpful Resouorces
Fields of the Fatherless
Red Letters
Orphanology
Power of a Positive Mom
Thrive Don't Simply Survive
Choosing to SEE
Wait No More
Thriving as an Adoptive Family
10 Ways You Can Help
Focus on the Family
Faith@Home
We will have tables with materials and information from a variety of ministries & agencies. Our goal is not to just raise awareness but to equip for action!
There are many ways to act on behalf of orphans as individuals or together as a family. For this year, we've planned to have information from adoption/foster care agencies that are local, national and that we know personally or know of families that have personally worked with them. The church is neither promoting or endorsing one specific agency or ministry, but there are folks that are in process or have previously worked with most of the ministries or agencies.
Both Brian & I as well as Jeff & Amy will be available to speak to you and follow up with you on Orphan Sunday and beyond. We know personally how challenging the adoption and foster care journey can be. And how amazing it can be too. There is much to discover about caring for orphans including the adoptable and sponsorships!
If you want more info be sure to email or tell us what your questions are and we plan to have a panel-style meeting in the future:)
Adoption & Foster Care
Buckner
Dillon
Gladney
Little Flower
Refuge House
AAC
Chosen Child
God's Littlest Angels in Haiti
Embrace
Tapestry
The Journey
Bibles for Babes
Heart Gallery
Orphan Care & Support
Christian Alliance for Orphans
Show Hope
As Our Own
Lifesong for Orphans
Lifesong for Orphans McBrides in Zambia
Hope for Orphans
Nehemiah Vision Ministries
Project HOPEFUL
CCBC Mission trips/activities
Helpful Resouorces
Fields of the Fatherless
Red Letters
Orphanology
Power of a Positive Mom
Thrive Don't Simply Survive
Choosing to SEE
Wait No More
Thriving as an Adoptive Family
10 Ways You Can Help
Focus on the Family
Faith@Home
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Orphan's Table
I read about a new activity this year for Orphan Sunday. The Orphan's Table from The Christian Alliance for Orphans
You can still order one for you family if anyone wants to order a kit and join us for lunch on Nov 6th after the 11:30 service at Cottonwood Creek...if you are in Allen, Texas.
We're trying to find a way to encourage our children to have an "attitude of gratitude" towards life especially when it comes to meals. Apparently I need to take a few more lessons from my friend Karol;)as I too struggle to create foods that are yummy, budget friendly and healthy on occasion. (But I figure the the Flintstones vitamin covers "a multitude of sins" as far as nutritional deficiencies are concerned)
It is hard to remember how truly spoiled we are and have many choices for food. Tonight we prayed for our soon-to-be son in another country. I wondered what he ate today? I wonder what he will think of Tex-mex...or Ramen noodles;)
You can still order one for you family if anyone wants to order a kit and join us for lunch on Nov 6th after the 11:30 service at Cottonwood Creek...if you are in Allen, Texas.
We're trying to find a way to encourage our children to have an "attitude of gratitude" towards life especially when it comes to meals. Apparently I need to take a few more lessons from my friend Karol;)as I too struggle to create foods that are yummy, budget friendly and healthy on occasion. (But I figure the the Flintstones vitamin covers "a multitude of sins" as far as nutritional deficiencies are concerned)
It is hard to remember how truly spoiled we are and have many choices for food. Tonight we prayed for our soon-to-be son in another country. I wondered what he ate today? I wonder what he will think of Tex-mex...or Ramen noodles;)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Being real as well as discerning
I have been a coward. It is true. I have complained privately about the lack of support among Christians for children living with HIV or AIDS. I've prayed that God would break hearts for the things and people that His heart breaks for..and then He did. Starting with mine.
For a while our children have known that there are orphans in the world. Three of our children are adopted and orphans/orphan care is a regular topic of conversation in our home. We've also had family and friends battle cancer and our children are aware of what cancer is and have donated their hair.
About the year 2008 I read a book that challenged me. Like a "good christian" I bought it, read it, highlighted portions, felt badly and put it on the shelf. Almost completely forgetting about the truth that had once pierced me...but did not drive me to action. I am very good about getting distracted and finding ways to get out of uncomfortable service...remember I am a BIG sinner, perhaps gifted in sinning?!
How patient and loving God is! I made some new friends a few months ago that changed me forever. I read about what they were in the process of doing. What I had highlighted and been pierced by caused them to act. The book that I had agreed with sat on my shelf as I took boxes of their books to liquidate so they could move their family to serve.
Finally last month we moved to act. We began sponsoring my friend's family as well and an additional ministry. From 2008, to 2011, to action. I am ashamed it took so long, but not that we obeyed.
I am ashamed of myself and how easily I understood the clarity of the message to go and do but thought that was a directive for other people. Using lame words like "bad, bad sick" to describe children living with HIV and AIDS to our children. Why was I so scared? They already knew about cancer, was that kind of sick any more horrible? Why did I silently pray that God would NOT ask us to adopt or sponsor a child that had HIV or AIDS...because I thought falsely that the child would die or "the church" would not understand or associate with us and then how would I handle that?!
I became the very thing that the world hates about Christians... a hypocrite. I will one day die from a "bad, bad sick" a sin problem that is only curable through the blood of Christ.
I am a BIG sinner, but I am working on being real as well as discerning in my home and outside of it.
Please learn from my mistakes and do not wait to go and do.
You are the church.
Now is the time.
For a while our children have known that there are orphans in the world. Three of our children are adopted and orphans/orphan care is a regular topic of conversation in our home. We've also had family and friends battle cancer and our children are aware of what cancer is and have donated their hair.
About the year 2008 I read a book that challenged me. Like a "good christian" I bought it, read it, highlighted portions, felt badly and put it on the shelf. Almost completely forgetting about the truth that had once pierced me...but did not drive me to action. I am very good about getting distracted and finding ways to get out of uncomfortable service...remember I am a BIG sinner, perhaps gifted in sinning?!
How patient and loving God is! I made some new friends a few months ago that changed me forever. I read about what they were in the process of doing. What I had highlighted and been pierced by caused them to act. The book that I had agreed with sat on my shelf as I took boxes of their books to liquidate so they could move their family to serve.
Finally last month we moved to act. We began sponsoring my friend's family as well and an additional ministry. From 2008, to 2011, to action. I am ashamed it took so long, but not that we obeyed.
I am ashamed of myself and how easily I understood the clarity of the message to go and do but thought that was a directive for other people. Using lame words like "bad, bad sick" to describe children living with HIV and AIDS to our children. Why was I so scared? They already knew about cancer, was that kind of sick any more horrible? Why did I silently pray that God would NOT ask us to adopt or sponsor a child that had HIV or AIDS...because I thought falsely that the child would die or "the church" would not understand or associate with us and then how would I handle that?!
I became the very thing that the world hates about Christians... a hypocrite. I will one day die from a "bad, bad sick" a sin problem that is only curable through the blood of Christ.
I am a BIG sinner, but I am working on being real as well as discerning in my home and outside of it.
Please learn from my mistakes and do not wait to go and do.
You are the church.
Now is the time.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Awkward Comments and His Truth
Strange and true things that have been said to me at different times during our journey to a family.
Infertility/Miscarriage
"You just need to relax."
"Wow, I'm Fertile Myrtle."
"You'll see them again."
"You can try again."
"At least it was early."
Psalm 139:15-16 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Foster Parenting
"I could never do that. How do you let them go?"
"You must have the patience of Job."
"You know where they (children) come from right?"
"Are they twins?"
"Are you a daycare?"
Joshua 1:9...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Adoptive Parenting
"Are they all yours?"
"Which one is yours?"
"Oh, okay, like Angelina."
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Infertility/Miscarriage
"You just need to relax."
"Wow, I'm Fertile Myrtle."
"You'll see them again."
"You can try again."
"At least it was early."
Psalm 139:15-16 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Foster Parenting
"I could never do that. How do you let them go?"
"You must have the patience of Job."
"You know where they (children) come from right?"
"Are they twins?"
"Are you a daycare?"
Joshua 1:9...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Adoptive Parenting
"Are they all yours?"
"Which one is yours?"
"Oh, okay, like Angelina."
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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