I LOVE Matthew West's song "One Less." Here's a great video where you can listen to the song & celebrate God placing orphans in families! PRAISE GOD- They are no longer orphans, but cherished sons & daughters!
If you have trouble viewing the video, you can watch it at http://youtu.be/oPVlgej4P68.
And here is the story behind the song:
You can also view this video at http://youtu.be/oPVlgej4P68.
Enjoy this awesome song!
April 30, 2011
April 28, 2011
Dads 4 Adoption Video
This video is the husband of Gwen (from 147MillionOrphans.com) talking to dads (or moms, or anyone considering adoption).
April 26, 2011
Praying He grants us some GRANT money
No referrals yet. Still waiting on the Lord and his timing.
But we have sent off applications for several adoption grants. Two are matching grants. We are really praying that the Lord would provide through one or several of these grants! They said it takes about 6 weeks to hear back from them. So we are asking the Lord for his favor & for complete trust in Him. We know that he provides for our every meal and every penny we have in our bank account is a gift from Him. We know that He has called our family to adopt. So we TRUST that He, in His goodness and sovereignty over all things, will provide.
Speaking of every meal... we continue to pray for our children & all orphans in the Congo! We chatted with our director the other night about what kinds of donations we could collect to bring with us when we go to pick up our children. I asked her, "What kinds of things would be the most helpful?" To which she replied, "Anything and everything. They have nothing."
They need formula, cloth diapers, mosquito nets, clothing (newborn to teen), shoes, sheets, towels, pajamas, toys...
She reminded me that it is VERY HOT in the DRC and there is, of course, no air conditioning in the orphanages, so we will need to keep that in mind as we collect clothing, sheets (no flannel) & shoes.
So, as we get closer to our travel date we will start collecting these items. (Well, as much as we can fit in our extra carry-ons.) So if you have any of these things lying around the house- DON'T get rid of them yet! Keep them tucked away safely for a few more months & we can take them with us to the Congo!
It's so encouraging to know that every family that travels to pick up their children from the DRC will be blessing the orphanages with loads of needed goods. We'll keep you posted with more details on this for those who are interested in donating!
We really appreciate all the prayers of believers! We still have plenty of adoption t-shirts for anyone who wants one (or two, or three)!
But we have sent off applications for several adoption grants. Two are matching grants. We are really praying that the Lord would provide through one or several of these grants! They said it takes about 6 weeks to hear back from them. So we are asking the Lord for his favor & for complete trust in Him. We know that he provides for our every meal and every penny we have in our bank account is a gift from Him. We know that He has called our family to adopt. So we TRUST that He, in His goodness and sovereignty over all things, will provide.
They need formula, cloth diapers, mosquito nets, clothing (newborn to teen), shoes, sheets, towels, pajamas, toys...
She reminded me that it is VERY HOT in the DRC and there is, of course, no air conditioning in the orphanages, so we will need to keep that in mind as we collect clothing, sheets (no flannel) & shoes.
So, as we get closer to our travel date we will start collecting these items. (Well, as much as we can fit in our extra carry-ons.) So if you have any of these things lying around the house- DON'T get rid of them yet! Keep them tucked away safely for a few more months & we can take them with us to the Congo!
It's so encouraging to know that every family that travels to pick up their children from the DRC will be blessing the orphanages with loads of needed goods. We'll keep you posted with more details on this for those who are interested in donating!
We really appreciate all the prayers of believers! We still have plenty of adoption t-shirts for anyone who wants one (or two, or three)!
April 18, 2011
Prayer & Update
Here are a few things you can join us in praying specifically for this week:
* For our Attorney to be successful locating true orphans in need of families.
* that the adoption process in the DRC would go smoothly!
* for the Presidential elections in the DRC in November & for all that comes with that. (This is a big deal for this newly democratic nation. We will need much wisdom in making our travel plans this fall to bring our children home.)
Also, after talking for a bit with our director from CCI, it sounds like they may have already located possible children for us & are just getting their medical testing done before they send us the official referral!!!
Can you hear my heart pounding in my chest?? Just typing that makes me so excited/anxious to see the faces of our children!!!!! It is hard to believe that this real some days! That God is really leading us down this journey to add 2 children to our family, who currently live across the globe but we have been praying about for years!
It grieves my heart when I think of the conditions they are probably living in. These pictures from another adoptive momma's trip to the DRC haunt me & cause me to PRAY! We pray daily & anytime our children come to mind that the Lord would protect our children, provide nourishment for them, and someone to care for and love on them while they wait.
It's almost unthinkable that our two precious children (and 4.2 million others) who are made in the image of God could be living in a dirt-floor orphanage with worn concrete walls and no electricity and running water. With 100 children and only 1 caregiver who will hold them and help them know they are loved? Who will feed them their bottles? What will they feed them? Will there be formula to nourish them? I pray constantly that they would not go hungry! Oh Lord, please provide nourishment for the children!
There are no diapers so the children just go all over themselves. I can only imagine the sickness and disease that may result from this. Lord protect our children from disease & illness!
And these are the ones lucky enough to make it into an orphanage. Out of the 4.2 million orphans in the DRC, 39 million in Africa, and 147 million worldwide I would venture to say that many, if not the majority, aren't lucky enough to make it into an orphanage.
Father, I thank you that while I was living in the disgusting pit of my sin that you RESCUED me! You brought me out of darkness into your marvelous light! "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). That is amazing God! And I thank you that I am a new creation in Christ and no longer live for my own glory, but for your glory! I pray that you would be glorified in our adoption Lord! And we bring two children into our family forever, as cherished sons and daughters! And I trust that you are holding our children in the palm of your hand and you know the plans you have for them!
In Christ, the only Son of God & perfect sacrifice for my sin,
Bethany
* For our Attorney to be successful locating true orphans in need of families.
* that the adoption process in the DRC would go smoothly!
* for the Presidential elections in the DRC in November & for all that comes with that. (This is a big deal for this newly democratic nation. We will need much wisdom in making our travel plans this fall to bring our children home.)
Can you hear my heart pounding in my chest?? Just typing that makes me so excited/anxious to see the faces of our children!!!!! It is hard to believe that this real some days! That God is really leading us down this journey to add 2 children to our family, who currently live across the globe but we have been praying about for years!
It grieves my heart when I think of the conditions they are probably living in. These pictures from another adoptive momma's trip to the DRC haunt me & cause me to PRAY! We pray daily & anytime our children come to mind that the Lord would protect our children, provide nourishment for them, and someone to care for and love on them while they wait.
It's almost unthinkable that our two precious children (and 4.2 million others) who are made in the image of God could be living in a dirt-floor orphanage with worn concrete walls and no electricity and running water. With 100 children and only 1 caregiver who will hold them and help them know they are loved? Who will feed them their bottles? What will they feed them? Will there be formula to nourish them? I pray constantly that they would not go hungry! Oh Lord, please provide nourishment for the children!
There are no diapers so the children just go all over themselves. I can only imagine the sickness and disease that may result from this. Lord protect our children from disease & illness!
And these are the ones lucky enough to make it into an orphanage. Out of the 4.2 million orphans in the DRC, 39 million in Africa, and 147 million worldwide I would venture to say that many, if not the majority, aren't lucky enough to make it into an orphanage.
Father, I thank you that while I was living in the disgusting pit of my sin that you RESCUED me! You brought me out of darkness into your marvelous light! "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). That is amazing God! And I thank you that I am a new creation in Christ and no longer live for my own glory, but for your glory! I pray that you would be glorified in our adoption Lord! And we bring two children into our family forever, as cherished sons and daughters! And I trust that you are holding our children in the palm of your hand and you know the plans you have for them!
In Christ, the only Son of God & perfect sacrifice for my sin,
Bethany
April 14, 2011
T-shirt update
Hey friends!!
Thank you so much to everyone who has ordered t-shirts so far!! We will get them to you soon! Here is an updated list of what sizes & colors we have left! We'd love to sell out & need to place an order for another hundred! Especially after seeing the new financial info for the Congo... it is going to be about $10,000 more than we had anticipated. But, what's $10,000 to God, the Creator of the universe right?? So, your prayers for God's provision are MUCH appreciate! We know He hears the prayers of believers!
Thank you so much to everyone who has ordered t-shirts so far!! We will get them to you soon! Here is an updated list of what sizes & colors we have left! We'd love to sell out & need to place an order for another hundred! Especially after seeing the new financial info for the Congo... it is going to be about $10,000 more than we had anticipated. But, what's $10,000 to God, the Creator of the universe right?? So, your prayers for God's provision are MUCH appreciate! We know He hears the prayers of believers!
Charcoal Gray Adoption shirts left:
15 Smalls
17 Mediums
16 Larges
6 XLs
3 XXLs
Navy Adoption shirts left:
5 Smalls
4 Mediums
3 Larges
4 XLs
To order your shirt(s) to support our Adoption, you can make your donation to our ChipIn account (on our Fundraising Tab and on the Left Sidebar near the bottom) and make sure to email me at mrsmeach1@gmail.com to let me know what color & size(s) you want.
Or you can email me at mrsmeach1@gmail.com for more info!
**If you need your shirts shipped, make sure you include your address and the extra $5 per household to help cover shipping costs. Thanks!
April 12, 2011
Waiting Expectantly
Well friends, we are officially "expecting"....
a referral any day!!!
Here's a little summary of some of the things we learned during our chat:
- Our trip to Congo is going to be expensive (hotels are $100-$400 US per night!; Translators are over $100/day; Taxis are $100/day; You can see how this can add up!)
- The trip to pick up our children will be around a week, it does look like we are going to travel, but an escort is still an option. (We're praying for more wisdom in this decision!)
- There were a total of 50 adoptions out of the DRC in 2010. (It is still a very new country. There were over 2,500 adoptions from Ethiopia to the US last year.)
- We need to file our I600A asap, which will cost another several hundred dollars
- We need to send $3200 to our agency this week
- We will owe around $16,000 once we receive our referrals (this covers attorney & in-country fees,etc)
So, how can you help?
Please PRAY that the Lord would PROVIDE the finances for our adoption expenses!
PRAY that we would get approved for at least one matching-grant that we are applying for!
PRAY for us to rely on the Lord alone, and not on our own strength or humans means to provide for us!
PRAY for us as we prepare to see the Faces of our children in the next month!
PRAY for our children, that they would be protected from harm, disease & hunger!
And you can help us spread the word about our Adoption Fundraising shirts! We're asking for at least a $20 donation per shirt. We have about 85 left, sizes Adult Small through XXL.
To ORDER, you can send me a fb message or email (mrsmeach1@gmail.com) and tell me what size & color you'd prefer! Then we'll work out a way for you to get your shirt.
Thank you for all your prayers!! Am I wondering where we are going to come up with all this money? YES! But I am trying to dwell on these verses & let my requests be made known to God, who provides for our every need! I can have a peace that surpasses understanding about our adoption finances because I know they are in the hands of the Creator of the Universe! Nothing is too big or too trivial for Him & I am asking Him to provide so that we can RESCUE & LOVE children who are made in His image. He is for orphans and adoption!
"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:31-32
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7
April 8, 2011
An Interesting Email...
Well friends, We got a very interesting email last night!
We got a BILL from our Adoption Agency for the "Attorney fee stage one for 2 referrals"....
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We still hadn't heard anything from our director, (she has only been back in the US for a few days and we've been trying to be patient & not bombard her with questions as she recovers from major jet-lag)...
So we had no idea what this bill meant!
Jon sent her a quick email saying, "Does this mean we have referrals?!?!"
We found out that we do not have referrals yet, but that our agency found a great attorney in the DRC (Congo) and he has our dossier in his hands!!! So, we need to send a check to our agency asap (like this week!) for $3200 so that he can get started!
Our director said she expects us to get our referrals within the next month!!!
So, please pray with us! Pray that God would provide financially for our adoption! We are sending off several grant applications this week- please pray with us that the Lord would give us a matching-grant through one of these non-profit agencies!! Pray that we would trust in God's provision and His timing for all of our adoption! And please pray with us for our children! Pray that God would protect our children, keep them safe from harm or disease, and that they would be loved on! Pray that I would not grow anxious about the timing or having 3 children under 2 to care for! I know God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in my weakness! (2 Cor. 12:9)
We got a BILL from our Adoption Agency for the "Attorney fee stage one for 2 referrals"....
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We still hadn't heard anything from our director, (she has only been back in the US for a few days and we've been trying to be patient & not bombard her with questions as she recovers from major jet-lag)...
So we had no idea what this bill meant!
Jon sent her a quick email saying, "Does this mean we have referrals?!?!"
We found out that we do not have referrals yet, but that our agency found a great attorney in the DRC (Congo) and he has our dossier in his hands!!! So, we need to send a check to our agency asap (like this week!) for $3200 so that he can get started!
Our director said she expects us to get our referrals within the next month!!!
So, please pray with us! Pray that God would provide financially for our adoption! We are sending off several grant applications this week- please pray with us that the Lord would give us a matching-grant through one of these non-profit agencies!! Pray that we would trust in God's provision and His timing for all of our adoption! And please pray with us for our children! Pray that God would protect our children, keep them safe from harm or disease, and that they would be loved on! Pray that I would not grow anxious about the timing or having 3 children under 2 to care for! I know God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in my weakness! (2 Cor. 12:9)
April 4, 2011
Our Shirts Are IN!
We are still waiting patiently trying to wait patiently to hear from our director about her trip to the Congo! No word yet. Other than we know it was like 100 degrees there! We also know her internet connection was pretty poor, so she had about 30 emails stuck in her outbox... I just keep praying that ONE of those emails is for US! And that it includes some good news about our children!
For now, we do have some other good news....
Our Adoption Fundraising Shirts are finally in!!
We tweaked the original design by changing a few of the words so that the shirt will work for any African country!!
We are really happy with how they turned out & hope that you like them too! They are printed on a "fashion tee" that is a softer, higher quality cotton with a slightly more fitted look.
We are asking for at least a $20 donation to our adoption per shirt.
(an extra $5 if you need it shipped)
Above, printed on Navy shirt
(If you want one of these, you'll need to hurry because we ordered a limited amount of navy shirts. But we do have at least a few left in each size (Adult small- Adult 2XL) after pre-orders.
Printed on the Charcoal gray shirt
(Available in size Adult Small - Adult 2XL)
Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered! We have your shirts packaged up & ready for you! We will contact you soon about getting your shirt to you (or you're welcome to contact us).
These really have arrived just in time! We would love to get our referrals soon & be able to pray for our children while looking at pictures of their faces! But we also realize that we will owe around $16,000 once we receive our referrals. (That does not include all of the other fees that will come after that point.)
So we are praying that the Lord would provide for us to be able to rescue these orphans so that they can become loved and cherished sons and daughters in our family! We are busy applying for grants and hope to sell all 100 shirts that we ordered! (And maybe even need to place a second order!)
Every time you wear our shirt you can think of the 2 orphans that you helped RESCUE and help us spread awareness of God's heart for orphans!
To order your shirt(s) to support our Adoption, you can make your donation to our ChipIn account (on our Fundraising Tab and on the Left Sidebar near the bottom) and make sure to email me at mrsmeach1@gmail.com to let me know what color & sizes you want.
Or you can email me at mrsmeach1@gmail.com for more info!
If you need your shirts shipped, make sure you include your address and the extra $5 per household to help cover shipping costs.
Thank you so much for your prayers & support!
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