International Adoption

While most of you know we have a heart for our countries orphaned and unparented we also have a heart for the world orphan crisis. You may not know how sick I am of hearing about this great divide---meaning the conversation that goes something like this:
Why would anyone adopt from Africa? Do you know what you're getting yourself into? Why not adopt locally? Etc etc etc.
I am here to tell you no matter what you believe. Where you think you should or shouldn't adopt from there are no WRONG answers except the one that says "I will not care for children" If you are a Christian, you are commanded to care for the orphaned and widowed. That care may look different for everyone. Some are called to pray. Some are called to sponsor a child. Some are called to bring a meal to a family that is fostering. Some are even called to adopt domestically or YES,even, from a foreign land.
Guess what folks? They are ALL children. You turn your back on a child you turn your back on the very God who made them in His image.
I hope this challenges some of you. I know some of us have our quiver full already. Could I encourage you mom's out there of more than a couple children? Hang in there. God will sustain you. There is much Joy in mothering your biological children. There is some sorrow too. I just experienced the "moving out" of my oldest back in May. Boy, I wasn't expecting it to be so hard! My daughter, a sophomore in High-school is still home. We have also added three foster children. Our quiver is full so to speak.
Now for those of you who need or want more information on international adoption from a personal perspective. Check out this amazing article here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/26/AR2010082605232.html
Many Blessings my friends. Keep up the good fight. We win in the end.
p.s.
If you would like to buy a necklace you can post a comment and let me know. We are currently trying to help a family bring home their little boy.

A Tragedy

Last week in the town we live in a tragedy struck. While I do not know all the details I do know that I read a snapshot of the beginning and ending of a life that ended too soon. Here is the article:
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=12983312
My husband and I have four precious gifts living with us. One biological, the other three foster children. We are fully aware that at any given time our children could make a bad choice or a series of bad choices. We hope and pray they do not, however; as I read one of the first articles that came out about this tragedy I read that this particular 15 year old "Child" had been in and out of state custody since he was 4 months old. I was sick. What happened to a permanency plan for him? What happened to getting him into a "forever" family? Why did his parents choose not to make wise choices? Did they make wise choices? I don't know any of these answers. Perhaps someone out there was called to care for this child and ignored that call. As hard as it may be, and trust me, I know it's hard---YOU can make a difference. First of all pray and then pray some more. Prayer causes things to happen, then act. Don't just act because you have compassion act because it is the right thing to do. We NEED each other. What if you had taken one hour, just one, to talk with this boy, to draw him out, to let him know he wasn't alone, that he didn't have to make bad choices to be accepted?
Now, I don't want to pretend to know all the details of this case. I know only what I read. I read about a family that loved him and tried to help him. Now they are grieving his loss. I did not know him at all but I am grieving his loss. I am grieving because I know my savior is grieving. Where is the body of believers that are called by Jesus name to serve the poorest of the poor? Where?
Oh Lord forgive us for we know not what we do or "not" do. Forgive us for being comfortable in our worlds, our lives. Forgive us for our complacency. Please let this tragedy spur us on to good works. We want to glorify you. We do not seek to add to the finished work of Christ we seek to honor Him who sent us by being his hands and His feet in a lonely forgotten world.

My biological daughter and I make jewelry. 50% of the profits we make this month will go toward a foster organization to promote fostering and to get the word out about the need and the need is great.
The other 50% will go to a dear friend who is trying to bring home her son through adoption.
Will you heed the call to care for orphans? Will you make the difference in someones life today?