"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands."--- Kristi Larson

Monday, November 28, 2011

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...




That's what boys are made of.
With dirt on his nose,
and scrapes on his knees,
the throwing or rocks,
and the climbing of trees,
with pockets of frogs,
and jars full of bugs
makes a sweet little boy
full of kisses and hugs!




We are just your average family of six. We have bills ,cars, a house,pets and kids ,four to be exact. I really used to think that four children was a lot but now that I am the mother of 4 it is merely a number.What makes us unique is how we came to build our family. We chose a road that is often less travelled and I have to say that road has lead us to unmeasurable blessings, the blessing of adoption.
People often think that it is for the super rich, trust me it is not.
People often think that it is never been the right time for them but it is not about our timing but His.
People often say we thought about it but our lives are just to crazy, I can not help but think I really need to invite them over for dinner one night :)
Bret and I knew that we would adopt again ,that was a given.  We had decided that Peyton would be the baby ,always. We also had decided that the next child would be an older girl. I pictured her with dark almond shaped eyes and raven hair. We had already had it all planned out.
So now what ?
 Well we will wait for our plan to be put into action when the time is right ...for us!

November 6th we attended  an amazing Orphan Sunday service at our church, HFBC. As we sat holding our two beautiful adopted daughters, we listened to many families stories of how there lives had been changed. But one speaker got up there and gave his testimony of their journey to adopt their son and daughter from Africa. As Jay described his home it mirrored ours. The "chaos" that centers around bath time and the dinner hour I could swear that  he had been to my house before! But beyond that, he described a loving family whose  lives had been forever changed.
We left there with our hearts full of hope for the many children that are waiting around the world to be loved ,cherished and treasured.
I received an email two days later that caught me completely off guard. An email about a little boy in China that needs a family.I had placed this baby boy on my prayer site just last week. I am looking at his photo  saying he is one of the most beautiful baby boys I have ever seen but he is completely opposite of who I pictured . This light eyed ,light haired beautiful child will never be excepted in his society. He would be an outcast based on the image that he was created in. I find that hard to wrap my head around in this day and time but it is reality.
I had a  quick interruption that reminded me of what the date was. Today was November 8th. This was the same day exactly two years ago that we listened to Pastor Greg speak of how true journey's of faith often have limited sight. On this same day two years ago, we first laid eyes on my daughter ,Pei.

I have to admit this got my attention.

As I read about how this giggling baby has learned to tightly grab on to the nannies shirts when they go to place him back into his crib at the orphanage. For him, this ensures that he could be held a little longer. I went to bed that night with the image of that etched in my head.The image of this 9 month old baby desperately longing for the touch of another human being.

God spoke straight to my heart with that simple image .

It was if that baby boy had taken those same tiny fingers and wrapped them around mine.As I looked at his picture I saw a beautiful baby with Ava's eye and hair color, Pei's beautiful almond shape eyes and Chinese Heritage and all of the blessings that each of my sons have brought to my life.


So over the course of the next couple of days we let go of what our image was and realized that God's image was much better. .


Caden Ryker Han Le Wen

God has blessed us with a child that is a combination of the best qualities of each and every one of my children. He has showed us yet again that everything good comes in his plans for us and on his time.
We can not wait to get our beautiful son home and hold him in our arms. Please join us in praying our beautiful  baby boy  home.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. These are just a few reasons why my heart is filled with thankfulness ...

Lovable ladybugs!



Beautiful bumblebees!



Sweet sisters :)





The joys of many firsts :)

(Nick's first car)





My furry babies!





and my less furry loves,









And all of the many blessings that are yet to come ;)


Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving !


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Idea for Orphan Sunday

Orphan Sunday



Orphan Sunday is November 6th . It is a time for Christians to be the voice for those who can not speak for themselves. I have grown up going to church all my life and I really did not ever remember one church ever observing this day.
There are approximately 147 million children without families around the world. That number is sobering. Both of my sweet girls were among those numbers but now know the love of a family.
There are so many verses in the bible that reference back to caring for the least of these but yet less than 5 % of Christian families actually step forward to adopt. I truly believe with all of my heart we are all not meant to "physically" adopt but that does not mean that we do not get involved in some way.

There are so many ways to help.

~Advocate for a child
~help a family fund raise for their adoption
~Become a big brother or sister in your community
~Foster a child
~Go to Reese's Rainbow and help a child with their adoption grant
~Pray for a specific child

Over the course of the past few weeks I have been working on a site for our church for Orphan Sunday.

http://www.waitingchildwarriors.com/


This site was created with the hope that people will be called to get involved. I will be continuing to add waiting children weekly . Please print off a child's photo and pray for them. Some of these children are in such an urgent crisis that I could not imagine turning my back on them.Many of these children are living in a distant land and some are in your own backyard. Regardless they are children in need.
My pastor asked for the congregation to step out and help raise money for funding adoptions for families through Lifesong. In a total of two Sundays they raised $180,000! I am in awe of the spirit of these people that I sit with in church every Sunday .
My hopes are that next year I will get to see one of these precious kids at my church with their new family. If that happen this labor of love will all be worth it.
Please visit here http://www.waitingchildwarriors.com/
Grab the button and spread the word!
Share this site with your church on Orphan Sunday !
Never under estimate what one simple act on your part can do to change someones life!