tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20167562377301863602024-03-14T07:10:02.587-04:00Jon & Bethany's Journey to adopt from the DRCOur journey to rescue 2 orphans from the DRCJon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-52865314628301857092012-12-03T22:39:00.000-05:002013-03-29T00:04:28.395-04:00the HOPE we have amidst our crazy story<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Hello out there to anyone who is still following our adoption journey! Thanks for sticking with us these past two years! We started this adoption process thinking it was going to be a sprint to get done quickly, but it has certainly turned out to be a marathon, no maybe a triathalon! Either way, we couldn't have persevered in running this race without two things: the Holy Spirit of God that dwells inside every believer and the faithful friends who have encouraged us and cheered us on when we felt like laying down and giving up. We thank God for the countless friends & family who have lifted us and our children up in prayer along the way!! I hope you know how truly grateful we are for you!</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today I am going to share a blog post I wrote as a "guest post" for my friend (and fellow adoptive momma) Sarah's blog, as part of a month-long guest post series she is hosting about many lives touched by adoption. You can see the post on </span><a href="http://ethiopiaminusone.blogspot.com/2012/12/advent-bethanys-story.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">her blog here.</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My
name is Bethany. Sarah asked me to share a little bit of the story of how God
has been at work in my life and my family’s adoption story, so here it is goes... <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
grew up in a very loving, very Roman Catholic home here in Louisville. I went
to Catholic schools from 4<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> grade through high school, and
basically lived in a catholic “bubble”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was the oldest child and was definitely the “rule follower” of the
family. I went to every Youth Group event & mission trips every summer to
help the poor. I had also created my own set of moral standards for myself,
when many of the kids around me were rebelling in high school: I will not drink
until I’m 21, I will never smoke, and I will NOT have sex until I’m married. As
long as I stuck to these things, I thought I was a very good person and that
God would be pleased with me. However, after graduating from high school I
decided that I was tired of being the “good little girl” and trying so hard to
be “perfect” and please my parents, I wanted to have fun. So I left for college
and pursued all kinds of “fun” that I thought would make me happy. I jumped
headlong into the party scene from day one on campus. This went on my entire
freshman year at UK. If there was a party, I was at it. And boy, did I LOVE my
sin. I had no conviction whatsoever. Until it caught up with me and I began to
reap what I had been sowing (Galatians 6:7-9).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
returned for my sophomore year hurt, depressed and desperate for healing &
forgiveness. So when my new roommate in my sorority house invited me to go to a
Christian church with her, which was SO against my upbringing, I said yes. I
was searching for answers and willing to try anything at that point.</span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For
the first time in my entire life I heard the good news of the gospel: that I
was a sinner in need of a Savior and that Jesus Christ had <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fully </b>paid the debt that my sins deserve on the cross. And that I
could never be “good enough.” I could never EARN my salvation. “For ALL have
sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I cried my eyes out
every Sunday for months as Danielle faithfully brought me back with her week
after week. Finally I had found a source of hope: the Jesus of the Bible that
I’d always known <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">about</i>, but never really
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">known</i>. Danielle continued to be my
friend and ask me hard questions. One question especially stuck with me and
pricked my heart. Danielle asked me, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">how
sure are you that you would go to Heaven if you died tonight?</b>” I thought I
was about 85% sure. I had been very “good” growing up and I thought that would
outweigh all the “bad” stuff I had been doing for the past year. Danielle
explained that it wasn’t based on me at all- it was based on Jesus alone. She
shared Ephesians 2:8-9 with me, “By grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so
that no one may boast.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began reading
my Bible for the first time in my life and slowly became convinced by scripture
that the gospel was truth and that a lot of what I’d been taught growing up
wasn’t based on the word of God. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eventually I decided
that Jesus was far more precious than pleasing my parents & following the
Catholic tradition of my family. And in February of my junior year, at a Campus
Crusade conference for Greek students, I surrendered my whole life to Christ. I
finally let go of the idols I had been holding so tightly onto, my drunken
social life and my immoral relationships, and I placed my faith in Christ alone
for my salvation. I memorized 2 Corinthians 5:17 and had to constantly remind
myself that I was “a new creation in Christ, the old has passed away and the
new has come.” God was so kind and merciful in immediately giving me fellowship
with believers who encouraged me in my new walk with the Lord at Campus
Crusade. The believers I met helped me grow in my walk with the Lord, study my
Bible, and eventually introduced me to the godly man who is now my husband! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My husband, Jon, and
I had always talked about adopting “one day,” but around our son’s first
birthday we decided to officially start the process to adopt internationally
after praying about it for years. That was almost 2 years ago. We’ve been
humbly reminded many times throughout our adoption process that WE are not the
ones writing our adoption story. Our Sovereign God is the one in control; He is
the author of our story and only He knows the twists & turns and how it
will end. We would never have dreamed that we would lose our first referral, that
the precious 9 month old baby girl who we were in the process of adopting would
die, or that we would have two legally adopted children in the DRC who are both
“missing.” But that is all part of our story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here’s what I want to share with you: if
you are a Christian and you desire to care for orphans through adoption- DO IT!
But don’t go into the process all naïve and dreamy the way I did. I thought
that because we were doing a good thing, by rescuing orphans, that it would be
easy. Oh was I wrong! God has NOT promised that caring for the fatherless would
be easy. But it is WORTH IT. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Every
single orphaned child on this earth is worth fighting for.</b> They are worth
mounds of paperwork, many fundraising events, <strike>months</strike> years of waiting and constant
prayer. They are precious children made in the image of God, just like you and
me! So by all means, please consider showing a child the love of Christ through
adoption! But please, come prepared with the full armor of God on, ready to
fight for them and advocate for them if and when Satan attacks. I have learned
that adoption is not simply a “process,” it is a battle. Do not fear the
battle. No one can know how the process will go for them. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Every single adoption story is different, but the Author is the same.</b>
And He will not abandon you when the trials and the suffering comes. I was
greatly encouraged by our friend, Matthew Delaughter’s, </span><a href="http://www.ibclouisville.org/multimedia-archive/suffering-and-the-hope-of-glory/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">recent sermon</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> at
Immanuel. The text he preached from was Romans 5:1-11; my heart was especially
encouraged by verses 3 through 5: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="text">Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance,<span style="font-size: small;"><sup> </sup>and endurance produces character, and
character produces hope,</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>and hope does not put us to shame,
because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who
has been given to us.”</span></span></i><span class="text"> Matthew reminded me that all
the suffering weaved into our adoption story is not in vain. It is producing
endurance, character, and hope as we have never known it before. The fact that
we have been able to persevere thus far is encouraging to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i>. Why? Because I know without a doubt that my flesh would have
given up a long time ago, and therefore, the Spirit of God truly is dwelling
inside of me equipping me with the fruit of the Spirit to help me persevere and
not give up!! Further proof that God’s word IS trustworthy and true. And I have
HOPE in the midst of all the unknown because of the gospel of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not know how our story will end, when it
will end, or even what chapter we are in! But I don’t have to have it all
figured out, I just have to hope and trust in my Creator, my heavenly Father,
who went through far more than Jon and I have gone through, just to rescue me
to be His daughter! Afterall, he sacrificed His only son for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ But when the fullness of time had
come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, <span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>to redeem those who were under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>And because you
are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!
Father!”</span> <span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>So
you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Galatians 4:4-7</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We
wish you a Merry CHRISTmas! Believers have so much to celebrate this time of
year in the ultimate gift God gave the world: His only Son, Jesus! </span></div>
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<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">PS- You can </span><a href="http://www.ibclouisville.org/multimedia-archive/suffering-and-the-hope-of-glory/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">LISTEN ONLINE</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> to the Excellent sermon by our friend, Matthew Delaughter, on suffering & the HOPE we have in Christ! If you are in the midst of trials and suffering, do yourself a favor & LISTEN to this sermon. It GREATLY encouraged me & spurred me on to want to suffer well through this 2-year-long & no-end-in-sight adoption process. Thank you again, brother! You & your family are such a gift to Immanuel Baptist Church! Click here to go listen for free: </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.ibclouisville.org/multimedia-archive/suffering-and-the-hope-of-glory/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.ibclouisville.org/multimedia-archive/suffering-and-the-hope-of-glory/</span></a></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-10331725849578265362012-11-25T14:05:00.001-05:002012-11-25T14:05:12.898-05:00august 24th<br />
On August 24th, 2012 I was scheduled to speak, alongside one of my best friends, at <a href="http://www.ibclouisville.org/">our church's</a> women's fellowship night. We were asked to share about how we met, how she shared the gospel with me, and how God used our friendship for his glory and how I came to be a born-again believer in Jesus Christ alone for my salvation.<br />
As I was in my van, about 5 minutes away from church, I got a call from Jon. He told me he had some bad news he had to tell me & asked if I was ready to hear it. <br />
<em>"What is it?! Is Josephine dead???" </em><br />
<em>"No."</em><br />
<em>"Then what is it?!?! Wait, don't tell me. I'm almost at church. I will call you back."</em><br />
<br />
So 15 minutes before I was about to share my testimony with a room full of 100 ladies, I called him back and heard the news, <br />
<em>"Josephine is missing now too. She is gone. She's not at the orphanage. Either she's missing or we adopted a little girl who never existed."</em><br />
<br />
It was a Friday night. Jon was packed & ready to fly to DRC to get our daughter on Sunday. How could this really be happening?? I sobbed with my friend, Danielle for a few minutes, not understanding how God could really let this be happening to our sweet little girl. Danielle prayed for me. Then I took a deep breath, regained my composure and took the stage with her. <br />
I remember someone said they would totally understand if I didn't want to speak that night, but I knew that was exactly what Satan wanted and there was no way I was going to let him win this battle. <br />
By God's grace, and with the help of the indwelling Spirit, Danielle and I were able to tell our stories, how God used a room in a sorority house to show me the good news of the gospel & that I could never be good enough on my own to please Him or "earn" my way to Heaven. He called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light. And now, by grace I am saved through faith in Jesus Christ! I am so thankful that the Lord gave me that Philippians 4 peace that surpasses understanding so that I could share my story for the glory of God & so the gospel may go forth and save others who are lost in their sin just like I was.<br />
<br />
Soli deo gloria. {To God alone be the glory.}<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-56043689476439036902012-11-08T13:08:00.000-05:002012-11-08T13:08:07.324-05:00breaking the silenceWow. I can't believe it is already November. I cannot believe that we started the adoption process a few months before our firstborn turned 1 and he is now over 2 and a half. I cannot believe that in a little over a month we will hit the milestone of being "in the adoption process" for<strong> two years</strong>. And most days I cannot believe that we have 2 legally adopted children in the DRC who have both been missing for months. <br />
<br />
But all of these things are true, no matter how hard they are for me to believe. Yet I also know that God's word is true. And although I have no idea what He is doing right now, I trust that His ways are higher than our ways & I just simply couldn't comprehend it even if He did try to explain it all to me. So I trust Him. And I trust that His word is true when it says,<br />
<em>"I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."</em> Romans 8:37-39<br />
and<br />
<em>"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."</em> James 1:12<br />
and<br />
<em>"For this light, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."</em> 2 Corinthians 4:17<br />
and<br />
<em>"The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> watches over the sojourners;<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-146-9"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16351S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup>he upholds the widow and the fatherless, </span></span></em><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-9"><em>but <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16351T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup>the way of the wicked he brings to ruin</em>." Psalm 146:9</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-9"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-9">Trusting the Lord & fighting for joy in the midst of this trial,</span></span><br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-12807727230938700382012-07-21T20:26:00.001-04:002012-07-23T09:43:11.497-04:00sorry it's been so longWe haven't written on the blog in over a month. But that is not because nothing has been happening in our adoption.<br />
<br />
It is because<strong> so much</strong> has been happening that we cannot share publicly at this point. <br />
<br />
It's been frustrating, chaotic, and very sanctifying. We have had to lean on the Lord alone, because He alone has infinite power and wisdom, and He alone can resolve this situation.<br />
<br />
We trust that God is the one writing our adoption story and directing our path, even when He seems to be leading us to our destination by a very different road than we had pictured when we set out. We want to be obedient to follow where ever He leads, like the Isrealites followed Him into the desert trusting that He would eventually lead them to the Promised Land. (Although we do NOT want to grumble and complain about everything along the way, like the Isrealites. Nor do we want to quickly forget all that God has done for us the way they did. You can pray for us to guard ourselves from these things.) We don't know what the other side of this "desert" will look like, but we know that He will be there with us- and that alone is enough. He is our source of joy in every turn and trial along the way.<br />
<br />
Just know that we are still here, on our God-given mission to care for the fatherless. And our Heavenly Father is sustaining us and giving us grace for each day. He is ministering to us through His word and through so many believers in our lives who are pointing us to His word continually. {We PRAISE God for the community of believers we are a part of! Not a day goes by that we are not encouraged or spurred on by one of the faithful Christians God has placed in our lives, and for that we are SO thankful.}<br />
<br />
We trust that God isn't finished with our story yet, so we press on and PRAY that He would execute justice for orphans, and, we pray, be glorified along the way.<br />
<br />
You can continue to pray that God would give us wisdom, patience, perseverance for the road ahead. You can pray that God would miraculously knit our family together through adoption and that we would be home with our children very soon. You can pray for God's protecting hands to be wrapped around both of our children, caring for them each day that we cannot be there to do it ourselves.<br />
<br />
Oh yes, I almost forgot... the day after we got some devestating news about our son, we received some awesome news that was somewhat overshadowed by our sorrow, but we want you to rejoice with us at all that God has done- baby girl is now legally OUR daughter! <br />
<br />
Trusting that "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Cor. 4:17-18),<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-61279786534322412152012-06-15T13:14:00.000-04:002012-06-15T13:14:42.542-04:00lil guy's i600 approved!!<span class="text Eph-2-9" id="en-ESV-29222"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">WOOHOO!! <strong><span style="font-size: large;">We got our official i600 approval in the mail yesterday for our son!!</span></strong> PRAISE THE LORD! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Eph-2-9"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text Eph-2-9"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">{For those of you are haven't been thru this part of an international adoption before, the I600 is the US embassy's approval for us to <strong>"classify an orphan as an immediate relative</strong>"!! Aka they approve of Malachi's adoption! Now we just need exit visas to be able to bring him HOME!!!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Eph-2-9"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Pray that we would get a picture of Malachi & hear great news on baby girl's adoption court this week too! =)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Eph-2-9"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son & Holy Ghost."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-4298150074900761602012-06-08T14:29:00.000-04:002012-06-18T16:29:30.683-04:00Call to Prayer!If you are a believer, a Christian, <a href="http://jonandbethany.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-once-was-lost.html">saved by God's grace</a> by your faith in Jesus to atone for your sin, then we would love to<span style="font-size: large;"> urge you to pray without ceasing with us</span> for the following requests before our Heavenly Father, who hears the cries of His people:<br />
<br />
1) PRAY for baby R and his well-being and protection, as we haven't seen his face in 10 months and long to know that he is okay.<br />
<br />
2) PRAY that they would take baby R's picture on Monday and that his passport would be ready on Wednesday!!!! (They've been waiting for his picture for weeks now to complete his passport. We had no idea his passport was this far along until today! Praise the LORD!!)<br />
<br />
3) PRAY that God would grant us an appointment with the US Embassy very soon. (They are taking our paperwork over next week if they can get baby R's picture by Monday!)<br />
<br />
4) PRAY that we would get our i600 approval before next Thursday so the US Embassy in Kinshasa can begin their final investigation and give us permission to bring our son home!!!<br />
<br />
5) PRAY that baby girl would have passed court last week (as we were told in an email from our attorney), that her paperwork would come quickly at the end of the 30 day wait, and that our USCIS officer would be merciful and expedite her embassy paperwork!<br />
<br />
Thank you all for laboring in prayer with us for our children and bearing our burdens with us! As we grieve with some dear friends of ours over their second child that has passed away before they could bring them home, will you pray that the Lord would <strong>protect them and us from fearfulness or anxiety</strong> and that <strong>God would uphold all of our children</strong>, and <strong>protect them from any harm, disease or neglect </strong>as they wait for their forever families to rescue them.<br />
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<em>"You <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16337U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> open your hand;<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-145-16">you <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16337V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> satisfy the desire of every living thing.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-145-17" id="en-ESV-16338"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16338W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> righteous in all his ways</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-145-17">and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16338X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> kind in all his works.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-145-18" id="en-ESV-16339"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16339Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> near to all who call on him,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-145-18">to all who call on him <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16339Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> in truth.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-145-19" id="en-ESV-16340"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>He <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16340AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> fulfills the desire of those who fear him;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-145-19">he also <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16340AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> hears their cry and saves them.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-145-20" id="en-ESV-16341"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16341AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> preserves all who love him,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-145-20">but all the wicked he will destroy."</span></span></em><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-145-20">Psalm 145: 16-20</span></span><br />
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We are on a <span style="font-size: large;">"rescue mission."</span>Please pray that God would be pleased to RESCUE our children and all of the precious orphans in the DRC who are matched with and waiting for their loving families to come rescue them very, very soon!<br />
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<span class="text Luke-18-1">The Parable of the Persistent Widow</span><br />
<div class="chapter-2">
<em><span class="text Luke-18-1"><span class="chapternum">18 </span>And he told them a parable to the effect <strong>that they ought <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25680A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> always to pray and not <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25680B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> lose heart</strong>.</span> <span class="text Luke-18-2" id="en-ESV-25681"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>He said, <span class="woj">“In a certain city there was a judge who <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25681C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> neither feared God nor respected man.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-3" id="en-ESV-25682"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-4" id="en-ESV-25683"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25683D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-5" id="en-ESV-25684"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-6" id="en-ESV-25685"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>And the Lord said, <span class="woj">“Hear what the unrighteous judge says.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-7" id="en-ESV-25686"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>And <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25686E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> <strong>will not God give justice to <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25686F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> his elect, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25686G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> who cry to him day and night? <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25686H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25686I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> Will he delay long over them?</strong></span></span><strong> </strong><span class="text Luke-18-8" id="en-ESV-25687"><span class="woj"><strong><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>I tell you, he will give justice to them <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25687J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> speedily.</strong> Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25687K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> will he find faith on earth?”</span></span></em></div>
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Praying like the persistent widow for my children,<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-21975439278893999532012-05-29T14:07:00.002-04:002012-05-29T14:07:37.939-04:00Crying happy tearsI've found myself crying happy tears several times already today (and it's only 2:00!).<br />
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As Jonah and I were driving to Costco this morning I was overwhelmed to the point of tears as I listened to this beautiful song called "I'm Adopted" (on our beloved <a href="http://slugsandbugsandlullabies.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/im-adopted/">Slugs & Bugs cd</a>) which I've heard a hundred times before. {<span style="font-size: x-small;">You can listen to it online here- the lyrics are wonderful- </span><a href="http://slugsandbugsandlullabies.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/im-adopted/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://slugsandbugsandlullabies.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/im-adopted/</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.}</span> <br />
But this morning it brought tears to my eyes as I sang the lyrics, <span style="font-size: large;">"<em>Love came and found me, wrapped arms around me</em>."</span> I cried happy tears as I thought about how much I want to do this with my 2 children who live across the globe right now. I long to wrap my arms around them and for them to know how loved they are. And I trust and believe that God will do this. He will bring these precious children home to their loving family.<br />
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Then happy tears came to my eyes when I thought about the fact that <strong>this is exactly what God has done for me in the gospel.</strong> He sent His Son to die for my sins so when I repented and believed in Christ alone for my salvation, I would be no longer seperated from God by my sin. In fact, <span style="font-size: large;">He came and found me.</span> He rescued me out of the pit of my own sin and rebellion and wrapped His loving arms around me. He called me to turn from my sin & run toward Him. He brought me comfort, peace, joy, and forgiveness through the cross of Jesus. I am no longer an orphan trying to "save myself", God has adopted me as his child, and I have full inheritance with Jesus, his true Son. That is a-mazing. And I did nothing special to deserve it. No one does. "<em>For <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29221Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> by grace you have been saved <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29221R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup> through faith. And this is <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29221S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup> not your own doing; <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29221T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> it is the gift of God, </em><span class="text Eph-2-9" id="en-ESV-29222"><em>not a result of works, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29222V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> so that no one may boast</em>." Ephesians 2:8-9. If you are relying on anything but Jesus's perfect record to know that you will spend eternity with God, then I lovingly urge you to repent (literally means to "turn away") and realize that it is a gift freely given that you can not earn. Put your hope & trust in Jesus Christ alone. Couldn't say it better than Martin Luther does in this quote,</span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-2-9"><strong>"Irreligious people don't repent at all, and religious people repent only for their sins. But Christians "repent of their righteousness." That is what makes them become Christians- when they repent not just for being bad, but for having tried in so many ways to be good in order to avoid relying on Christ alone for their hope, worth, and salvation."</strong> </span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-2-9">So back to the happy tears...</span><br />
<span class="text Eph-2-9">As we were heading in Costco Jon called me to tell me that we just got an email from our agency telling us that <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>baby girl has passed the 1st phase of court and should complete the 2nd phase next week</strong>!!</span> {In come the happy tears!!} Our baby girl will, God willing, OFFICIALLY be our daughter NEXT WEEK! Praise the Lord!! What sweet news to my ears! </span><span class="text Eph-2-9">One step closer to being able to wrap my loving arms around my kiddos!</span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-2-9">Please continue to pray with us for their safety and that the Lord would protect them from any harm, disease, or neglect. And that God would work out all of the final details (travel, 1 or 2 trips, dates, etc) for our children's good, our good, and His GLORY!</span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-2-9">Thankful for my adoption into God's family,</span><br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-62285413560265118622012-05-25T15:35:00.003-04:002012-05-25T15:35:38.661-04:00Embassy paperwork!<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">We sent off our paperwork (called an i600) for baby R, now Malachi R., to the US embassy last week!! </span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">We were told the embassy usually takes several weeks to process paperwork, then the Embassy in the DRC will do a background investigation (which could take weeks) and <em>then</em> we could travel to bring him home!!!!!!! </span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Please pray with us that our baby girl would pass court this week!!! There is a 30 day wait for a no-appeal certificate after she passes court. Pray that her case could be expedited through the embassy so we can bring them both home in one trip very soon!!</span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">We can't wait to show off their beautiful faces! However (for those of you who are curious), we have decided not to post their pictures on the blog for their own safety & protection. We know that exhortion is a big problem in the DRC and do not want to put our children at risk of being kidnapped.</span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Officially Mommy to 2,</span><br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a><br />
ps- Baby girl is now 6 months old! And Malachi (baby R) is almost 16 months...<br />
Missing my babies.... Trusting that God will bring them home to us in His perfect timing. But asking in faith for that to be very SOON. I know He delights in giving good gifts to His children if we just ask, so we are asking. Daily.Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-586941351735237112012-05-07T13:17:00.000-04:002012-05-07T13:17:31.961-04:00quick prayer updateWe have unfortunately not heard ANY news on baby girl's case or on baby R in weeks. <br />
But for any of you out there who still read this & have stuck around all 16 months of our adoption journey thus far, we wanted to let you know how you can specifically be praying with us. {THANK YOU for your support through prayer! It encourages us more than you will probably ever know.}<br />
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1. PRAY that we would pass court for baby girl this week!! (Or even that we passed last week and we just don't know it yet!) <br />
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2. PRAY that we would get pictures of baby R. We have not gotten a single update (medical info, pictures, or otherwise) in the past 9 months other than being told that he was moved to a different orphanage. He was supposedly moved 2 weeks ago to his new orphanage, so please pray that God would be merciful & let us see his face so we will know he is alive & well!!!<br />
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3. PRAY for their continued protection, and that God would uphold their lives and sustain them every single day! We know that every day that an orphan survives in the DRC is a miracle- so we are asking God for daily miracles until the day He finally unites our family!<br />
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Praising God for my newest son & praying that baby girl will officially be "ours" soon! And that God would allow us to be united as a family and bring our children home very, very soon!!<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-7423676007207056332012-04-19T14:22:00.001-04:002012-04-19T14:29:24.755-04:00WE PASSED COURT!!<em>"When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all"</em> (Ps. 34:17-19).<br />
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Jon & I are absolutely THRILLED and REJOICING in the Lord's kindness in giving us this precious gift!<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">We found out on Tuesday that we passed court on March 5!!!</span><br />
Thank you to all the saints, especially our <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=376063954728" href="http://www.ibclouisville.org/">Immanuel</a> family, who have been pleading with the Lord with us for our adoption! <br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><strong>We are officially baby R's parents now!</strong></span> <br />
I (Bethany) have been weeping tears of joy! Not only did we pass court, we passed court over 30 days ago AND have the No-Appeal certificate! PRAISE THE LORD! HE HEARS THE CRIES OF HIS PEOPLE!!!!<br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">I can hardly wait to see his face again! We haven't gotten new pictures of him in 8 months! (He's asleep in every picture we have & he was only 6 months old. He's now 14 months.) We are supposed to be getting some soon, but seeing him face to face will be indescribably filled with joy! Praying it will be soon!</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-size: large;">Please pray with us</span> that we will also hear good news on our<span style="color: #a64d79;"> <strong>baby girl's</strong></span> case this week! As far as we know she hasn't even started the first phase of court, but we are PRAYING that she would officially be our daughter VERY SOON so we can travel in the next couple months to bring them HOME! </span><br />
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to everyone who has been faithfully praying with us and for us! We certainly feel surrounded in prayer right now and could not be more encouraged! God's grace is amazing- my flesh could never survive all this waiting- but PRAISE Him that through Christ I now have the Spirit dwelling inside me giving me the ability to exercise patience as we wait on the Lord. I am far from perfect in this area, but I know that by God's grace we have persevered (and will continue to) and not given up. The Spirit really is a sweet, sweet gift from the Lord! (And it belongs to all who simply repent of their sin & place all their hope in Christ alone to atone for their sin. Oh, God's grace is an AMAZING undeserved gift!!)<br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">FILLED WITH JOY & PRAISING THE LORD,</span><br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-32320295376829867902012-04-12T22:49:00.000-04:002012-04-12T22:49:37.738-04:00final t-shirt order- new colors!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMye7dhTGVEdCSaNhJQUVmSHrz_sb3v8zCD3XfhQx3MGIJ4zDjB_JXf40FBQfW22CAed86kupYMidYp-EC5K7IFFOXCgmuZWhr7kM6zPxLR5rp70eIFvYtXz_WekrcA4QOImd7K4SNK7A/s1600/shirt+colors+promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMye7dhTGVEdCSaNhJQUVmSHrz_sb3v8zCD3XfhQx3MGIJ4zDjB_JXf40FBQfW22CAed86kupYMidYp-EC5K7IFFOXCgmuZWhr7kM6zPxLR5rp70eIFvYtXz_WekrcA4QOImd7K4SNK7A/s400/shirt+colors+promo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are now taking pre-orders (as in you pick the size(s) and color(s) you want and we order them for you) for our final t-shirt order!</span></strong> <br />
Jon & I created our t-shirt design together on our computer and the Lord has provided steadily for our adoption through these shirts. We are so humbled and thankful for every one of you who has ordered a shirt already and all of you who are about to! When we designed the shirt, our hope was that whenever you wear it, you will help raise awareness of the global orphan crisis and God's love for orphans. We also pray that wearing these shirts would open many doors for gospel conversations and for sharing how all Christians are called to care for orphans in some way. So be ready to explain that there are 147 million orphans worldwide. That there are 39 million orphans just in Africa- around 4 million in Ethiopia and in the DRC. And that every single one of them bears the image of God, just like you and me. <br />
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We need to order a minimum of 24, and we hope to have at least that many <strong>pre-ordered by April 24th</strong> so we can send in our order. <br />
<strong>If you would like one (or 10!) please email me @ </strong><a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com"><strong>mrsmeach1@gmail.com</strong></a><strong> with the colors and sizes you want us to order for you! I will hand them out (and mail them out) when they come in. </strong><br />
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<strong>You can donate the $20 per shirt several different ways (please don't forget to include $2 per shirt if you need me to ship them, to help cover shipping costs):</strong><br />
<strong>1) You can donate online through our ChipIn button (on our blog's sidebar)</strong><br />
<strong>2) You can mail a check to Lifesong (directions on our <a href="http://wewillcometoyou.blogspot.com/p/our-both-hands-project.html">Both Hands tab</a>)</strong><br />
<strong>3) You can mail a check to us and we will deposit it into our adoption account (email me @ <a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com">mrsmeach1@gmail.com</a>)</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwdhRBnREv67ExnV1M2wMvm1217LkzI94wEKQSugTMZDeAcCaupna_R2x-pgklHL5Tg2ooK99wlN3wQ2i6s92gforM6infd_UHMC2WCE4A0-f3iAP8zAwXzjwxT7l9m1umGqrY6PlRhs/s1600/DSC_0991crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwdhRBnREv67ExnV1M2wMvm1217LkzI94wEKQSugTMZDeAcCaupna_R2x-pgklHL5Tg2ooK99wlN3wQ2i6s92gforM6infd_UHMC2WCE4A0-f3iAP8zAwXzjwxT7l9m1umGqrY6PlRhs/s320/DSC_0991crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I happily wear my super soft and comfy adoption t-shirt often! So often that one of my best friends dressed up as me for Halloween and wore- you guessed it- our adoption shirt! =) Love you Jordan!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFsgzY9H2QsDhTBgB8vW8HzVnvF9YqDgEuc_o2nVEiX6U6CcM83ArKtyD7p-4J05BTgwl6qx8NNH-tnZzf3m4ceoquzpO_95p2SSl0Scoe5mXFl_fKo3dxaGvc6e4sl31DJojDvadQFU/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFsgzY9H2QsDhTBgB8vW8HzVnvF9YqDgEuc_o2nVEiX6U6CcM83ArKtyD7p-4J05BTgwl6qx8NNH-tnZzf3m4ceoquzpO_95p2SSl0Scoe5mXFl_fKo3dxaGvc6e4sl31DJojDvadQFU/s400/DSC_0730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
SO thankful to be an adopted daughter of my Heavenly Father,<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-69191876959745776352012-04-10T09:04:00.001-04:002012-04-10T09:11:46.033-04:00Gifts that Keep Giving: Thirty-One fundraiserDid you know that the name Thirty-One comes from Proverbs 31?<br />
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I'm sure most of you have heard of Thirty-One gifts by now, but for those of you who haven't here's a brief intro:"Our stylish, affordable products are exclusive to Thirty-One. From our signature purses and totes to storage solutions that help organize your life, you'll find something to fit every personality and situation. Each season, we develop new products built on the idea that our products must be functional AND fashionable (and, of course, make great gifts!)." (taken from <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/our-story">thirtyonegifts.com</a>)<br />
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Needless to say, <strong>there are TONS of great gift ideas for the mothers in your life!</strong> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">AND here's the best part- <strong>now through April 24th</strong>, you can <strong>email me an order</strong> for any Thirty-one items and my friend,</span><a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/151218/"><span style="font-size: large;"> Molly</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, who is a Thirty-one consultant has offered to <strong>donate a big portion of her sales to OUR ADOPTION!</strong></span><br />
You can browse the <a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/151218/">entire catalog online</a> and benefit from the April monthly special! For every $31 you spend, get 1/2 off any purse!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMSAeUyctLjMV44IgnlfGJZzMrCuXZrcEVPAdH_0-YIF2Vqu6nC8PuJOwhnGO9CznvDcIhwV27rEkQ3u9VCKXC25oUPW0DUPQw03XUklyYJvLd22fKW95ceHwhVRC2skJ8yEFLD-9cTQ/s1600/31+april.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMSAeUyctLjMV44IgnlfGJZzMrCuXZrcEVPAdH_0-YIF2Vqu6nC8PuJOwhnGO9CznvDcIhwV27rEkQ3u9VCKXC25oUPW0DUPQw03XUklyYJvLd22fKW95ceHwhVRC2skJ8yEFLD-9cTQ/s400/31+april.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>There is something for everyone. Cute lunch totes, purses, organizing totes, even stationery!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxM04uaOkrsZg6ESputLBnl39siRsDDkhXKDL8MooWuRM4YKWB3AVQUju2njTsLNqL-vRJdL3WPJbdP60id8mV_uWlUmNbwrbA1crdAJPFOCC00dVni52QiCabm9xT8JOkTYGFT33s3PA/s1600/31+top+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxM04uaOkrsZg6ESputLBnl39siRsDDkhXKDL8MooWuRM4YKWB3AVQUju2njTsLNqL-vRJdL3WPJbdP60id8mV_uWlUmNbwrbA1crdAJPFOCC00dVni52QiCabm9xT8JOkTYGFT33s3PA/s400/31+top+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have the <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog#/28-29">Picnic Thermal Tote</a> (in the same pattern as #9 actually) and it wonderful for playdates to the park or the zoo. There's plenty of room for me to pack lunch for Jonah and myself (with room to spare for future kiddos lunches)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also have my eye on the <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog#/26-27">Organizing Utility Tote</a> (#4) and the<a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog#/30-31"> Large Utility Tote</a> (#5)! And I love the <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog#/12-13">Retro Metro bag</a> in one of the new gray prints!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Toward the <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog#/36-37">back of the catalog</a> you can see all the fun prints that are available for each bag! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So go to Thirty-One's online catalog, pick out some gifts for yourself or someone you love and <strong>email me @ </strong><a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com"><strong>mrsmeach1@gmail.com</strong></a><strong> to tell me what you want to order by Tuesday, April 24th</strong>, and VOILA- you've gotten a great gift for someone and supported adoption as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are only $4200 away from our adoption being fully funded!</div><br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-7702904423603351572012-04-07T16:38:00.000-04:002012-04-07T16:38:53.812-04:00Fundraising Party Coming up!Hey friends,<br />
As of today it looks like we are just a little over $4,000 away from our adoption being fully funded!!! We are PRAISING THE LORD for His provision for our every need (it is truly SO humbling to see how He has provided for every step of our adoption) and we are looking forward to seeing how He provides through our next Fundraising event!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5em2O0ivoT4AxYOjs-DJohcyBUQGy8cJwvzpAmDZOBE_Nq9v7mb5ERLtOcpHPJv4Eif7Z6U1-IkmGQWjl03KvsZo2f2HglXA8zFWiP32DH7rlsYob3fR1MC-BPKMpu71L4q2gsGuTSfA/s1600/Girls+Night+Out+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5em2O0ivoT4AxYOjs-DJohcyBUQGy8cJwvzpAmDZOBE_Nq9v7mb5ERLtOcpHPJv4Eif7Z6U1-IkmGQWjl03KvsZo2f2HglXA8zFWiP32DH7rlsYob3fR1MC-BPKMpu71L4q2gsGuTSfA/s200/Girls+Night+Out+sm.jpg" width="200" /></a>We are hosting a GIRLS NIGHT OUT Adoption Fundraising Party on Tuesday, April 24th! It will be a fun night to get away, enjoy some free food and drink, maybe WIN some prizes and shop for yourself and all the Moms in your life!<br />
<strong>You'll be able to purchase great products by </strong><a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/151218/"><strong>Thirty-one Gifts</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://www.norwexproducts.com/?gclid=CMKZhIaIga8CFYcUKgod4zEg0g"><strong>Norwex (chemical-free cleaning cloths + more)</strong></a><strong> and a portion of everything you buy will be donated to our adoption!!</strong> There will also be adoption cookbooks, African paper bead necklaces, and adoption t-shirts available to purchase to support adoption. <strong>So you can SHOP for all the people in your life and SUPPORT our adoption at the same time! </strong><br />
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<strong>*Orders will be ready in time for Mother's Day!</strong><br />
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If you live nearby & would like to come, email me @ <a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com">mrsmeach1@gmail.com</a> for directions & details! <br />
<br />
We are opening up ordering to ALL OF YOU! If you would like to ORDER any NORWEX or THIRTY-ONE products, please email me @ <a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com">mrsmeach1@gmail.com</a> by April 24th so it can be counted toward our adoption donations as well!! Online orders will not be able to be counted, so please make sure you email me all your order info and I will pass it on to our consultants!<br />
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Both companies actually have some great specials going on during the month of April!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjZ9GvBeL0_AmqStZq9XlvMOjnVVbt4j_EdoLxTjql8XLrY9aS9gQz4NkkXh0O4YI72S1SziP1d1KQJHBpf5dWhHpYfmoZOnKRhllhKSl0joaHmnpJvGzKX5Z5pkq-wh-8oKBvLR3oRc/s1600/monthly-special-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjZ9GvBeL0_AmqStZq9XlvMOjnVVbt4j_EdoLxTjql8XLrY9aS9gQz4NkkXh0O4YI72S1SziP1d1KQJHBpf5dWhHpYfmoZOnKRhllhKSl0joaHmnpJvGzKX5Z5pkq-wh-8oKBvLR3oRc/s400/monthly-special-3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/content/specials.aspx">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
For every $31 you spend, Thirty-one will give you <a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/content/specials.aspx">1/2 off any purse</a>! These great-looking bags speak for themselves! (I LOVE my Picnic Thermal Tote! It is perfect for play dates at the Zoo!)<br />
<br />
And <strong>Norwex</strong> has several monthly deals as well as package deals! For those of you who haven't heard of Norwex yet, here's little info about one of their top-selling products:<br />
"<span style="font-weight: bold;">Antibac Enviro Cloth</span> This multipurpose, antibacterial, microfiber cloth removes dust, dirt, and grease from all washable surfaces, while preventing the transfer of germs to your hand and cross-contamination between surfaces. Use it dry for dusting, or damp for cleaning walls, tiles, bathtubs, counters, metal surfaces, car interiors, etc. Between launderings, simply rinse, wring out and hang to dry."(Taken from<a href="http://www.norwexproducts.com/microfiber-cloths/antibac-basic-package"> their website</a>.)<br />
<br />
Norwex products allow you to literally clean your entire house just using water! Check out their <a href="http://www.norwexproducts.com/">website</a> to read more or come to the party to see the demonstrations for yourself! Several of our good friends have switched to this budget-friendly, chemical-free way to clean their homes and they LOVE it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVHBegoUw38vf331ujYoBsn-37e7aRdFQgurItdNN7UoZgS9WkSY9wtzbGNdhUl7PYbtcsrCoWsMIXlTH63SN8M1wZJ8xzw2KjlqVuAfY8zCgXCXa9LcyCD0XvwPfgOZH_jMHZ-05GPM/s1600/April+Specials+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVHBegoUw38vf331ujYoBsn-37e7aRdFQgurItdNN7UoZgS9WkSY9wtzbGNdhUl7PYbtcsrCoWsMIXlTH63SN8M1wZJ8xzw2KjlqVuAfY8zCgXCXa9LcyCD0XvwPfgOZH_jMHZ-05GPM/s400/April+Specials+copy.jpg" width="307" /></a><br />
<br />
Don't forget- email your orders to me @ <a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com">mrsmeach1@gmail.com</a> by Tuesday, April 24th! <br />
Thank you in advance to everyone who is able to shop and support our adoption! <br />
<br />
I am really looking forward to a fun night out with the girls!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-45253320432972844742012-03-30T15:31:00.000-04:002012-03-30T15:31:57.750-04:00Psalm 90- how long, O Lord?Well friends, we are about 15 months into our adoption process and I confess that I have been struggling lately with feeling weary. We were so excited to start court with baby R but it has been 5 weeks and we have heard nothing. We were excited on March 14th to get baby girl's birth certificate, but since then we have heard nothing. As far as we know we haven't passed court for baby R and we haven't even started court yet for baby girl. <br />
<br />
Everything seems to take SO LONG in the Congo. Every day that goes by I just think about what a miracle it is that our children are still alive in such horrible conditions and neglect. And so every day lately I have been crying out to our great God to have MERCY on baby R and baby girl and please let them come home soon! Of course we want them to be home with us and love on them. But we also want them to survive long enough to know the unconditional love of a family and have a chance to hear the gospel and be saved. Have mercy on them, O Lord, Father of the fatherless!<br />
<br />
I was so thankful to get together with my friend <a href="http://teammyersathome.blogspot.com/2012/03/thoughts-from-psalm-90.html">Bonnie</a> this morning. She and her husband went through a very long and very trying journey to adopt their 2 beautiful children from Ethiopia. In fact, they've only been home since mid-February!! And I just praise the Lord every time I see her children, because it truly was the hand of God that brought them home from a hopeless situation. But our entire church family rallied around their family in prayer and GOD HEARD. I am so thankful for these reminders of answered prayer in my life. I need to be reminded often that God really does hear the prayers of His people. I know this in my head, but sometimes I need to be reminded in my heart. <br />
<br />
Bonnie understands what it's like to feel like you're going to be stuck in the season of waiting and pleading with the Lord forever. And asking "How long O Lord?!" She wrote a <a href="http://teammyersathome.blogspot.com/2012/03/thoughts-from-psalm-90.html">great blog post on Psalm 90</a>, which has been a great encouragement to me, and I'm sure it will be to you as well... whether you're in a season of suffering through a long, drawn-out, emotional battle to rescue orphans or are enduring some other kind of suffering right now. <br />
<br />
Psalm 90: 12-17<br />
<em>"So teach us to number our days<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-12">that we may get a heart of wisdom.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-90-13" id="en-ESV-15392"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup> <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15392U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> Return, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>! <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15392V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> <strong>How long?</strong></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-13">Have <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15392W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> pity on your servants!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-90-14" id="en-ESV-15393"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>Satisfy us in the <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15393X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> morning with your steadfast love,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-14">that we may <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15393Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> rejoice and be glad all our days.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-90-15" id="en-ESV-15394"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup><strong>Make us glad for as many days as you have <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15394Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> afflicted us,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-15">and for as many years as we have seen evil.</span></span></strong><span class="text Ps-90-16" id="en-ESV-15395"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup><strong>Let your <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15395AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> work be shown to your servants,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-16">and your glorious power to their children.</span></span></strong><span class="text Ps-90-17" id="en-ESV-15396"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>Let the <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15396AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> favor<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-15396d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2090&version=ESV#fen-ESV-15396d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> of the Lord our God be upon us,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-17">and establish <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15396AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> the work of our hands upon us;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-17">yes, establish the work of our hands!"</span></span></em><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-17">I will be meditating on these verses each day for the next week or two (or three). And praying that God's steadfast love would satisfy me anew every day. That HE would be enough for me, no matter what my circumstances. And that His grace would be sufficient for me in my weakness (as He promises it will be in 2 Cor 12:9). I know that I, by my own strength or determination, could NEVER endure to the end of this adoption journey. But I praise God that He will never leave me nor forsake me. And because the Spirit is now dwelling inside of me because of my faith in Christ alone for my salvation and atonement, I can use the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control that God gives through His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-17"><em>"<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>I have been <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29085A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29085B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29085C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> who loved me and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29085D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> gave himself for me."</em> Galatians 2:20.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-17">Living each day by faith in the Son of God,</span></span><br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-37395882011426385212012-03-20T15:10:00.000-04:002012-03-20T15:10:07.240-04:00lots going on around here!I can't believe I haven't updated the blog in weeks... although it is somewhat understandable with all that's been going on around here! But I don't want to forget any of it, so here it comes all at once...<br />
<br />
Here's quick rundown of the past couple of weeks (bullet style):<br />
- Our <strong>KIDS adoption shirts</strong> came in! Yay! Praise God for another way He is providing the finances for our adoption! And the shirts turned out really CUTE! See Big Brother modeling below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx5jIEEhy6KSGKnOD5Cz2gLu9GezeWqmTK___dx1mFU2A0tECPdgeD4oYXRtTsHzwcg68qy1bvwi86Lx5aGoo_oeUsMQouHdqmNhHRhlmKeqWYwqeBDqYQC8bQYdVscT0cRSyK8F-cxo/s1600/DSC_0639crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx5jIEEhy6KSGKnOD5Cz2gLu9GezeWqmTK___dx1mFU2A0tECPdgeD4oYXRtTsHzwcg68qy1bvwi86Lx5aGoo_oeUsMQouHdqmNhHRhlmKeqWYwqeBDqYQC8bQYdVscT0cRSyK8F-cxo/s320/DSC_0639crop.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Two members of our agency traveled to the DRC to visit all the kids and meet our attorney, etc the first week of March.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- During that trip we were waiting expectantly for email with some kind of update on Baby R and baby sister including new pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- On Sunday, March 4 we finally got several emails of pictures of baby girl... only it wasn't baby girl. We quickly realized that the adorable little girl in the pictures was NOT the same little girl we'd been staring at and praying for this past month. {here's where my heart sank.} We quickly emailed back with a picture of our "baby girl" and pointed out the differences. Finally they agreed- this was not the same child. They said they were "working on the situation." Those 24+ hours of uncertainty I admit I struggled against fearfulness. <em>What exactly is "the situation"? Where is our baby girl? Could they not find her @ her orphanage because she is dead? Were we emailed pictures of the wrong little girl a month ago and this little one is the real baby girl who's had her medical, etc? What is going to happen if they can't find our baby girl? When will our kids finally be home with their family??</em> Oh, how we prayed. We prayed and prayed for the Lord to have MERCY on us and let this NOT be a big deal. Let it be something small. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>- And HE HEARD OUR CRIES: we were emailed pictures of our original baby girl and told that she is the correct child that we have paperwork for! They found her! (Although we still don't know where exactly.) She is ALIVE and we PRAISED THE LORD! ssshhhew- crisis averted. Thank you Almighty God!<br />
- A day or 2 after our agency had gotten back to the US, we were still trying very hard to wait for pictures of baby R. We knew they were recovering from jetlag and thought of this as an exercise in patience. But we were VERY saddened to hear that no pictures were coming- <strong>they did not see baby R during their week in the DRC. </strong><br />
- We understand that the circumstances were somewhat out of their control, but we are still deeply saddened that we haven't seen or heard ANYTHING about him in 7 months. <strong>Please PRAY with us that our in-country aide would go see baby R THIS WEEK and take pictures of him so we can see that he is ok.</strong> After all we've been through in the last year (losing a referral for our baby boy, baby Leseli passing away @ 9 months old, baby R having malaria a week after we got his referral, etc, etc) we obviously are concerned for baby R's life and well-being. The only pictures we have of baby R are from when he was 6 months old (and he's asleep in every one).... he is now 13 months old. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaAuD6JDVM3Wq7BN7MlZxJ6XbGw61s2lGAuR-xqTkUzzILPuWOu1pBzg2bK-Qpfz-E44w1clrKIlE_mwLp9UBMuRGaTj_p7CEmWLedHWzPmkUpFWRKzXVuk0U7IWRAR8P0V0Z6DfW8Eg/s1600/sleepy+eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaAuD6JDVM3Wq7BN7MlZxJ6XbGw61s2lGAuR-xqTkUzzILPuWOu1pBzg2bK-Qpfz-E44w1clrKIlE_mwLp9UBMuRGaTj_p7CEmWLedHWzPmkUpFWRKzXVuk0U7IWRAR8P0V0Z6DfW8Eg/s200/sleepy+eyes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby R's sweet sleepy eyes (@ around 6 months old)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>- Will you pray with us, plead with the Lord on our behalf, that He would let us <strong>pass court for both of our children very, very soon</strong>? We've been "in phase 1 (of 2) of adoption court" for baby R for 3+ weeks now and have heard no progress yet. We should be starting phase 1 for baby girl any day now (we got her birth certificate on 3/14).<br />
- We are also bolding asking the Lord to let us bring our children home in May. Will you join us in asking our Father for this good gift? And that He would uphold and protect them every day until they can be united with their forever family! We realize this would be a miracle. But we also know that our God is not small and nothing is impossible for Him. So we PRAY and wait expectantly on the Lord to act!<br />
Trusting in our Sovereign God, <br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-89093316844233949722012-03-09T20:23:00.000-05:002012-03-09T20:23:29.209-05:00our African Paper-Bead Necklaces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTC4n-LYCzu_e26J6u2HeNit3sFJdGzekWXK_e75-B6ORS40BKUNwsauUaj0cSOM73F1mdS3u_aMhHGM9RUGCgyEGksYNhqFW9TqgcGPEL7qYJ7s20-3iZnOZx__jJgEMSyMN1jurvlU/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTC4n-LYCzu_e26J6u2HeNit3sFJdGzekWXK_e75-B6ORS40BKUNwsauUaj0cSOM73F1mdS3u_aMhHGM9RUGCgyEGksYNhqFW9TqgcGPEL7qYJ7s20-3iZnOZx__jJgEMSyMN1jurvlU/s320/DSC_0457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our sweet friends, Justin & Bonnie, were finally able to bring their sweet babies home from Ethiopia last month! Well, we were (and are) completed OVERJOYED that God knit their family together and that they're finally home as a family of 4! When Bonnie came home from being in Ethiopia 10+ weeks she also brought home a special treat for us... <strong>5 bags of paper-bead necklaces for us to sell as an adoption fundraiser</strong>!! Bonnie & Justin were able to pay for Justin's plane ticket to Ethiopia with money raised from these beautiful African necklaces! So they passed on some more in hopes that they would be a blessing to us as well. We are SO thankful for their kindness and generosity!!<br />
<br />
Each bead is hand-rolled from recycled paper (magazines, calendars, etc) by women in Africa. They are coated with some type of clear finish, so they are water-resistent but certainly not water-proof for a shower or swimming, etc. . If you want to request a necklace, you can leave a comment here, send me a facebook message, or email me @ <a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com">mrsmeach1@gmail.com</a>. Just let me know what color(s) you want, while supplies last.<br />
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We are asking for a $10 donation per necklace. (Please add $2 per necklace if you need them shipped or $5 total for shipping 3 or more.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi9n9NnjIGcuY2NiKqNx0KVGmoPSEzjQTpY-qWOJosQa7CkgQhkI6JmfDsAdzhnxVK4lhqjs0ooQoxGZfi5cJU5vAgFCqDu6NJ7ssegfTcTXMv_eBJD9_Dm-UIn1uDxifisx-Zat25_c/s1600/DSC_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi9n9NnjIGcuY2NiKqNx0KVGmoPSEzjQTpY-qWOJosQa7CkgQhkI6JmfDsAdzhnxVK4lhqjs0ooQoxGZfi5cJU5vAgFCqDu6NJ7ssegfTcTXMv_eBJD9_Dm-UIn1uDxifisx-Zat25_c/s400/DSC_0629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Each necklace is one long strand that can be wrapped </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>once, twice, or three times for 3 different looks!</strong> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1lQe_-YRt4g1vuf1-gYMHxpImpWmSTZOqn78-sg8VYnH3WXb_UxeD4VOJrx8xdNvrv-w01QGyXt4-TEZxJG8xirnWRIw3_f1IasSP4YY6ESP99PJMwv0PggxK3E6gKEkGD9zdHBjYoc/s1600/DSC_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1lQe_-YRt4g1vuf1-gYMHxpImpWmSTZOqn78-sg8VYnH3WXb_UxeD4VOJrx8xdNvrv-w01QGyXt4-TEZxJG8xirnWRIw3_f1IasSP4YY6ESP99PJMwv0PggxK3E6gKEkGD9zdHBjYoc/s320/DSC_0621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These are all one long strand wrapped 3 times (so they could all fit in the picture!). <br />
Top row, Left to right: multi purple (3 left), multi pastels (3 left), multi bold (15 left)<br />
bottom row, left to right: multi bold (see "multi bold" above), multi pink/red (3 left), multi blue (4 left)<br />
<br />
We have already been very h<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">umbled and thankful for the <strong>$680 the Lord provided for our adoption this week</strong> through my husband's kind co-workers purchasing our African paper-bead necklaces!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! We are still $5000+ away from our goal, but we can see the Lord slowly and faithfully providing for our adoption and we are so THANKFUL!! And we still have around 50 necklaces left!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">beyond thankful to be an adopted daughter of the King of kings,</span><br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a><br />
PS- Our agency was in the DRC last week and we DID get some new pictures of our baby girl! She is beautiful and looks healthy (except for a pretty yucky rash on her neck/chest). We can't wait to see new pictures of baby R when they get back to the land of the free and home of the high-speed internet connection! Plus, we are SUPER excited to get the video footage they took of our kiddos!! Ahhh, be still my soul. I can't wait to see my babies, hold them, and love on them for... forever!Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-85888988556791467032012-03-01T09:26:00.000-05:002012-03-01T09:26:26.742-05:00A message from your big brotherBaby brother and baby sister, we have a message from your big brother, Jonah, to share with you today:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kdMGJYxgIo8?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
{You can watch it on Youtube @ <a href="http://youtu.be/kdMGJYxgIo8">http://youtu.be/kdMGJYxgIo8</a> }<br />
<br />
<br />
Jonah is also excited to announce <strong>our newest FUNDRAISER</strong> below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp42MDLfo7MbUWt2c8DDheEKr52PzAE_xrlVXtA7DbG0rvl_9u78AvbsOJ-YXZsoJ13fZ-AD9KuopkvJok93YCMc0eq3VfEn0qLjqeo9-k4rdsFENFahWpFdbyRK8a_SoyZMK3M_4Gwo/s1600/African+Beads+info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp42MDLfo7MbUWt2c8DDheEKr52PzAE_xrlVXtA7DbG0rvl_9u78AvbsOJ-YXZsoJ13fZ-AD9KuopkvJok93YCMc0eq3VfEn0qLjqeo9-k4rdsFENFahWpFdbyRK8a_SoyZMK3M_4Gwo/s400/African+Beads+info.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Please PRAY with us for 2 members of our agency who arrived in the DRC yesterday!!! Pray for their safety and protection and for a very productive trip! Pray they would get to see ALL of the children referred to families and get plenty of pictures and video. And pray with us that all the children, including our son & daughter, would be united with their forever families SOON!<br />
<br />
In Christ,<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-4275229458445197842012-02-25T20:40:00.000-05:002012-02-25T20:40:39.643-05:00kids size adoption shirts<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">We are so excited about all the interest in <strong>kids sizes of our adoption shirt</strong>! Around 20 shirts have been requested so far- that will be around $400 for our adoption!!! Praise the Lord! (We're still about $6000 short for those who are wondering.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYKnr6T9xgzUiboSqWRSLKg51IMbv1Y_OwjejZQXZbTLxfQlOSpcF1foIopKrKmYabG_l_7vY9fLsqGXWVz1IPutsGTRBwAG0i4YCtf2Yb3eVpVAoajKBdKw_3fabAwC8Cz3jkWRLTHY/s1600/Navy+Adoption+Shirt+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYKnr6T9xgzUiboSqWRSLKg51IMbv1Y_OwjejZQXZbTLxfQlOSpcF1foIopKrKmYabG_l_7vY9fLsqGXWVz1IPutsGTRBwAG0i4YCtf2Yb3eVpVAoajKBdKw_3fabAwC8Cz3jkWRLTHY/s200/Navy+Adoption+Shirt+crop.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"> Leave a comment on this post or email me {@ <a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com">mrsmeach1@gmail.com</a>} <strong>if you'd like us to order one</strong> (or ten) for you! Just <strong>tell me what size(s) and color(s) you want</strong>. (We can order any color you see listed (as long as they're currently available), we just have to order a minimum # of s<span class="text_exposed_show">hirts.) </span></div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span> </div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><span class="text_exposed_show">You can <strong>donate the $20 per shirt</strong> to our adoption online <strong>via our ChipIn button</strong> (on our left sidebar) or by mailing a check to us. We will distribute the shirts as soon as they come in. We're going to order them Thursday and they said they'd be ready in 2 weeks. If you live near me I'd love to meet up with you somewhere to give you your shirt(s), but if you're out of town please add $3 to cover shipping costs (and make sure I have your mailing address!). </span><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><br />
</div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><strong>this shirt comes in 2T,3T, and 4T</strong>- <a href="http://www.handsonoriginals.co/Toddler-Heavyweight-Cotton-Tees-p/toddlerheavyweightcottontees.htm" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>www.handsonoriginals.co/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>Toddler-Heavyweight-Cotton-Tees</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>-p/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>toddlerheavyweightcottontees.ht</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>m</a>} </div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><br />
<strong>this shirt comes in youth XS-L in lots of fun colors </strong><a href="http://www.handsonoriginals.co/Youth-Cotton-Blend-Tees-p/youthcottonblendtee" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span></span></a><a href="http://www.handsonoriginals.co/Youth-Cotton-Blend-Tees-p/youthcottonblendtees.htm">http://</a></div></span><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><a href="http://www.handsonoriginals.co/Youth-Cotton-Blend-Tees-p/youthcottonblendtees.htm"><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>www.handsonoriginals.co/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>Youth-Cotton-Blend-Tees-p/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>youthcottonblendtee</a>s.htm}</div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"> </div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">We're going to try to order the kids shirts by Thursday of this week, so please let me know by then! (After that I can't promise we will have the size or color you want.)</div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"> </div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">We are so excited that we are IN COURT right now in Congo and should officially be baby R's parents ANY DAY now! And we're praying that baby girl would get a court date as soon as they have her birth certificate in hand mid-March! </div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">Please continue to pray with us that God's hands of protection would be wrapped around our son and daughter, and that they would be home with us very soon! We're placing our trust in God's timing and also trusting that He will continue to provide for the financial costs of rescuing our babies. We just found out this week that we owe an extra $2400 for the court process to get our kids birth certificates. Boo. But nothing is impossible for God right? He will help us complete this adoption, but we do appreciate your prayers for provision and for us to not fear or worry about HOW we're going to pay all these bills. Please pray that we would rely on Christ alone and not our own strength to do this! We fall short, but our Heavenly Father holds us and our children in the palm of His hand and cares deeply for us. We know that He called us to adopt and that He has chosen these children for our family, and we CAN'T WAIT to have them home!!!!!</div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"> </div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">Baby R and baby girl's Mommy in Waiting,<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a></div>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-79068818886271139372012-02-22T13:20:00.002-05:002012-02-22T13:22:08.287-05:00Come Home Soon baby brother and baby sister!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got some very exciting news yesterday from our agency!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>We started the first phase of ADOPTION COURT on MONDAY the 20th!!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What does this mean?!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Baby R and baby girl should OFFICIALLY be OUR kids in the next week or so!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{Well, our agency is checking to see if this court is for both kids or just baby R. We know we've gotten his birth certificate, but we haven't heard about baby girl's yet.}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can hardly believe it is finally happening!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>We are only 6-8 weeks from meeting our children face to face and bringing them home!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is extremely humbling for me to receive this long-awaited answer to prayer. Why would the God of the Universe ever bother to listen to<em> me</em> or anyone else when we pray? We are sinners, we have all turned aside and gone our own way, put ourselves in the place of God thinking we know what it best for us, and we have broken his law countless times. We have lusted, coveted, and worshipped idols like money and comfort instead of believing that the true and living God is the only true source of joy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So why would the perfectly just and holy God who created the world and every person who has ever lived on this earth listen to us? Why does God tell us in His word that He listens to Christians when they pray? Because He is an amazing Heavenly Father, and He gave His only Son Jesus so that all who believe in Him and trust in His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection to atone for their sin and imperfection have become children of God. I am an adopted daughter of God. He has adopted me into His family. Not because I am or was "good enough" to deserve His love, but because He first loved me (John 14:18)! He tells us that He is our Father and he delights in giving good gifts to His children! He wants us to come to him and ask for the desires of our hearts and he <strong>delights</strong> in answering the prayers of His children for our good and His glory! Ahh.. I adore my Father! And I am THANKFUL beyond what words can express for Him adopting me, for plucking me out from the deep pit of sin that I was living in, opening my blind eyes to see my need for a Savior, and showing me the grace and mercy found in Christ alone. Since I cannot express my gratitude fully in words, I give him my life. I want to live for the glory of God, and I want to be used by God to expand His family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> As <a href="http://www.elisabethelliot.org/about.html">Elisabeth Elliott</a> wisely said, <em>"The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian. But the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God's idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to God of all that I am and all He wants me to be."</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a></div>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-3634535031606940912012-02-15T13:59:00.002-05:002012-02-18T19:57:41.548-05:00NEW T-shirt Colors and Sizes available!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpYcUbK0ZgkvzIiLHie60K2ahbavwyK7UpkB-RJpxxEmDkX5JO91wvnCo8UhLQBArl_j-NxQtjINpGOxABKiRFbib8l-3AcPWf8Ui0kdcM9uuD-m4vi6uGtTdtw1nI24H4asacOt0uqg/s1600/new+shirt+colors+promo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpYcUbK0ZgkvzIiLHie60K2ahbavwyK7UpkB-RJpxxEmDkX5JO91wvnCo8UhLQBArl_j-NxQtjINpGOxABKiRFbib8l-3AcPWf8Ui0kdcM9uuD-m4vi6uGtTdtw1nI24H4asacOt0uqg/s400/new+shirt+colors+promo.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{I am pictured above wearing size Small in all 3 shirts. You'll notice the pink shirt is a "women's cut" shirt and fits slightly different than the rest of our unisex shirts.}</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Current Colors & Sizes Left as of <strike>2/15</strike> <strong>2/18</strong>:</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Smoke Gray: <strike>5</strike><strong>1S</strong>, <strike>2</strike> <strong>1 L</strong>, <strong>2 XL</strong>, <strike>1 XXL</strike></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Light Pink: <strike>5</strike> <strong>4 S</strong>, <strong>4 M</strong>, <strike>1 L</strike>, <strike>2 XL</strike></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mocha Brown: <strong>3 S</strong>, <strike>5</strike> <strong>3 M</strong>, <strong>2 L</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Navy: <strong>2 L, 1 XL</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Contact me @ </strong><a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com"><strong>mrsmeach1@gmail.com</strong></a><strong> to reserve your shirts today!</strong> This will probably be our last batch of shirts, so hurry to get the size and colors you want! First come, first served. Once they're gone, they're gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're asking for a minimum $20 donation per shirt (add $3 if you need them shipped to you). These are great quality "fashion fit" shirts! Jon & I made the design ourselves. If you're local, shoot me an email or facebook message and I'd love to bring your shirt to you or meet you somewhere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center">You can DONATE $20 per shirt to our ChipIn account online (on our Fundraising Tab) using PayPal. Just make sure you let me know what Size & Color shirts you want in the COMMENTS section! (And please add the extra $3 if you need me to ship it.)</div><div align="center">If you don't want to use PayPal email me at <a href="mailto:mrsmeach1@gmail.com"><span style="color: #336699;">mrsmeach1@gmail.com</span></a> and we'll work out a different way for you to make your donation for your shirts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>We hope you enjoy wearing your nice, comfy t-shirt and each time you do you'll know you helped us get one step closer to bringing our children home and you'll be a walking bilboard for orphan care! Thanks for helping us spread the word about the 147 million orphans that need a family, God's heart for orphans, and that ALL Christians are called to care for them in some way!<br />
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We're praying God will provide for our last $6,550! <br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-4441136516366016822012-02-13T07:22:00.001-05:002012-02-13T08:43:16.218-05:00Care Packages for our kiddos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have the opportunity to send care packages (<a href="http://www.wewillcometoyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/finally-something-tangible.html">again</a>) to our children! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only the children we are sending them to are different. It makes me sad remembering that the last time we sent care packages they were for our little girl Leseli Joyce and a baby boy (we had lost our referral for our 6 month old lil boy and we were waiting for a new referral). God's grace has carried us through these last six months. While we may never fully understand them, we do trust in God's plans for our family, and that right now He is leading us to baby R and baby girl in His sovereignty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are filled with<strong> hope</strong> that these care packages will arrive in the hands of our children at the end of this month. We are so thankful that two people from our agency are going to see them and are kind enough to let us send a little something to them. <span style="font-size: large;">It is something tangible to tell them "WE LOVE YOU!" until we can get there and tell them in person.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{I honestly stressed way more about what to put in the bags the first time. And they didn't make it to our children. The exact whereabouts of our first 2 care packages are not really known at this time, so we sent these. But I am still hoping that they will find the other 2 and both will make it to our children. We shall see. Either way, it's nice to send donations to an orphange in the DRC. This time we sent a photo book/frame, clothes, shoes for baby R since he's 1, socks, bottles and cloth diapers for baby girl, and small toys/books.}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpkBs-wT5ErP1QBOesV7VGozGS2m3l8HSAlBeCNid73KiaoHbLnHgM7BVCT6AHrrJNzPaNvuAUDV3DqhO808ltBywWFkxro3aNUDPLr1tTceTjqNm-d0pRBNKU7MuHJg-1Qiibu0tdyE/s1600/babyR+pkg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpkBs-wT5ErP1QBOesV7VGozGS2m3l8HSAlBeCNid73KiaoHbLnHgM7BVCT6AHrrJNzPaNvuAUDV3DqhO808ltBywWFkxro3aNUDPLr1tTceTjqNm-d0pRBNKU7MuHJg-1Qiibu0tdyE/s400/babyR+pkg.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfy6HwasQmkemhVm71u6k-bMO9dmHqOqWI3FG29o0hDwXYH4mlS-v8uxT543TbUbHNa85Ok1MH100pnEkrkLN4d_skKN17rIS1mIy50Z_XK6qFGUE9NwFcK0_Cng0qJse-sNKOaJHPjI/s1600/baby+girl+pkg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfy6HwasQmkemhVm71u6k-bMO9dmHqOqWI3FG29o0hDwXYH4mlS-v8uxT543TbUbHNa85Ok1MH100pnEkrkLN4d_skKN17rIS1mIy50Z_XK6qFGUE9NwFcK0_Cng0qJse-sNKOaJHPjI/s400/baby+girl+pkg.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwBYcGXBWqy-buEjq67Y7Gku6VENIyeDu-dEWz6cMEBukjE_m8q7d8lnSXkp-qvHGwsJmkoHqJYbzXl-tc6UPcGrL8hENuGSj_FjE1-aSEhnz4njQhsgC-f6mqFu5PaQOSRR-wpLh-s4/s1600/babygirl+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwBYcGXBWqy-buEjq67Y7Gku6VENIyeDu-dEWz6cMEBukjE_m8q7d8lnSXkp-qvHGwsJmkoHqJYbzXl-tc6UPcGrL8hENuGSj_FjE1-aSEhnz4njQhsgC-f6mqFu5PaQOSRR-wpLh-s4/s320/babygirl+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture frame for baby girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H-bPlzNwPlzl9kqZnamStFAAAPPN5l6XfKQErIuNJHB6ruXoyEuatPSjSyxmhw9FIFUt1KjKlrayU497tM9yQUdkXtxqrOubl5ZMx5t9ccl2EOcW8hIRSlUOQwsSzIhidvezDpVdjvU/s1600/babyR+photobook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H-bPlzNwPlzl9kqZnamStFAAAPPN5l6XfKQErIuNJHB6ruXoyEuatPSjSyxmhw9FIFUt1KjKlrayU497tM9yQUdkXtxqrOubl5ZMx5t9ccl2EOcW8hIRSlUOQwsSzIhidvezDpVdjvU/s640/babyR+photobook.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we don't know much about baby R, we do know that his caregiver speaks French, so we tried to make his photo book bi-lingual so she can read it to him. =)</td></tr>
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The most exciting part of these care packages to me is that they will be HAND-DELIVERED by our agency!! They will get to SEE our children, check on them for us, and they said they will try to take PICTURES and even VIDEO for us!! Do you know that we only have a couple pictures of baby R from 6 months ago and that he is ASLEEP in every single one? I cannot wait to see my baby boy and how he has grown, although I'm sure it will make my heart somewhat sad realizing all that I've missed with him in the last six months of his life. We got to include a sheet of questions for their caregivers and I can't wait to hear what they say! (I think they're going to videotape their answers.) We are so thirsty for ANY information on our children since we have so little. I am trying to still my heart and pray without ceasing for our children, trusting that they will be home with us in God's timing. But I sure am excited to see new pictures of their beautiful faces!!!!<br />
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<br />
Love from their adoring Mommy,<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-32513493536321649672012-02-08T10:47:00.000-05:002012-02-08T10:47:36.008-05:00Did you know?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made this blog extra using a combination of Photoshop and Illustrator with the info I saw on 147millionorphans.com.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I want to share it with you (totally free) so you can help raise awareness of the global orphan crisis.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{Just right-click on the size you want, Save to your computer, and "add a picture gadget" to your blog's sidebar, or include it in a post. Use it however you like, but Please just leave a source link back to my blog.}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Together, let's pray that WAY more than 1% of Christian families will adopt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">small</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBsp5SIefNYjuSdEIGrSevh7zZGMhWviU7ZqOZ1d1a-x7DruJ7pv2VRpwkU3bRkxSDwZ2MlXgRneIoBI8490PuQesdNlAeXJWiC9R-JTpGJHoXuwa5Gz9znM2D7ycqJ7omF5xKJ4xx3k/s1600/34%25+adopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBsp5SIefNYjuSdEIGrSevh7zZGMhWviU7ZqOZ1d1a-x7DruJ7pv2VRpwkU3bRkxSDwZ2MlXgRneIoBI8490PuQesdNlAeXJWiC9R-JTpGJHoXuwa5Gz9znM2D7ycqJ7omF5xKJ4xx3k/s200/34%25+adopt.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">medium (recommended)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBsp5SIefNYjuSdEIGrSevh7zZGMhWviU7ZqOZ1d1a-x7DruJ7pv2VRpwkU3bRkxSDwZ2MlXgRneIoBI8490PuQesdNlAeXJWiC9R-JTpGJHoXuwa5Gz9znM2D7ycqJ7omF5xKJ4xx3k/s1600/34%2525+adopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBsp5SIefNYjuSdEIGrSevh7zZGMhWviU7ZqOZ1d1a-x7DruJ7pv2VRpwkU3bRkxSDwZ2MlXgRneIoBI8490PuQesdNlAeXJWiC9R-JTpGJHoXuwa5Gz9znM2D7ycqJ7omF5xKJ4xx3k/s1600/34%2525+adopt.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">large</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBsp5SIefNYjuSdEIGrSevh7zZGMhWviU7ZqOZ1d1a-x7DruJ7pv2VRpwkU3bRkxSDwZ2MlXgRneIoBI8490PuQesdNlAeXJWiC9R-JTpGJHoXuwa5Gz9znM2D7ycqJ7omF5xKJ4xx3k/s1600/34%2525+adopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBsp5SIefNYjuSdEIGrSevh7zZGMhWviU7ZqOZ1d1a-x7DruJ7pv2VRpwkU3bRkxSDwZ2MlXgRneIoBI8490PuQesdNlAeXJWiC9R-JTpGJHoXuwa5Gz9znM2D7ycqJ7omF5xKJ4xx3k/s400/34%2525+adopt.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd love to create a custom blog extra for you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Want to display a favorite scripture verse? Need a new blog header? Need to advertise your fundraisers in an eye-catching way?? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go to <a href="http://www.blogdesignbybethany.blogspot.com/">www.blogdesignbybethany.blogspot.com</a> to support our newest fundraiser!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll create a custom design for you and EVERY dollar goes directly to our adoption expenses!</div><a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-34547588440505082122012-02-06T14:10:00.000-05:002012-02-06T14:10:30.069-05:00time for shots: Preparing to Travel to the DRC!We are SO thankful that we are finally getting to the last leg of our adoption journey that we didn't even mind that it was time to go get our pre-travel SHOTS. Neither of us are a fan of needles, but we looked the other way and survived!<strong> The tiny prick of the needle wasn't even the most painful part, it was definitely the BILL</strong>. Shots for international travel ARE NOT covered by most insurance, so we got to pay those lovely bills straight from our own pockets. <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">{On that note, if you're ANYWHERE in the process to adopt internationally: you should talk to your doctor about getting up to date on routine vaccinations NOW, because many Insurance companies DO cover those. That will save you money down the road!}</span><br />
<br />
I am going to share <strong>our grand total</strong> in hopes that you families following behind us can adjust your budget and be better prepared than we were!!! <span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">We budgeted $700 for shots for BOTH of us, but it ended up being more like $800 PER PERSON.</span> </span>Yes, that's right. <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">$1600 total.</span> {Just saying it out loud feels like a major punch in the gut.} <br />
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But, keep in mind that this is just what <strong>we</strong> <em>chose</em> to do. The only shot we HAD to get was the <strong>Yellow Fever (it is REQUIRED to enter the DRC).</strong> That shot was only about <strong>$120 each.</strong> But we decided that, for us, we'd rather get the vaccines now and NOT get yellow fever, polio, malaria, hepatitis, tetanus, meningitis, etc, etc. in a third world country with very poor medical care. Not to mention that it would put a major damper on bonding with our new children! So we weighed the costs (financial, physical, etc) and made our decision. But you have to decide for yourselves. Here are the recommendations from the US Center for Disease Control (<a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/democratic-republic-of-congo.htm#vaccines">http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/democratic-republic-of-congo.htm#vaccines</a>):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR5NuMBkmT4k7nmZYB1nUbA9cGWIW7GZyfIXIFj87TVAm2RLsiocfVIhK3tLzpAJSSyYulf8EiqKiu2SwXr5ZWoGzrOQc1vvnyIWtNQFfhGDROvYtIv-9iPwZ_pyfrpwEh-CoM7579bg/s1600/Travel+INfo+from+CDC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR5NuMBkmT4k7nmZYB1nUbA9cGWIW7GZyfIXIFj87TVAm2RLsiocfVIhK3tLzpAJSSyYulf8EiqKiu2SwXr5ZWoGzrOQc1vvnyIWtNQFfhGDROvYtIv-9iPwZ_pyfrpwEh-CoM7579bg/s400/Travel+INfo+from+CDC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYSU7BZ0dxxzhFNriSmS93X09S8TRinCNM5TPfguyTA8jqY9wgqbFQwRDuU66SLOwCvkoVvVpAlWwxlewaGX8WaSxG4bYiy-T4rSVW6p52tiFKfQCWValWWveOQ_q0APzZMOxpJUNhhw/s1600/Vaccines+Recommended.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYSU7BZ0dxxzhFNriSmS93X09S8TRinCNM5TPfguyTA8jqY9wgqbFQwRDuU66SLOwCvkoVvVpAlWwxlewaGX8WaSxG4bYiy-T4rSVW6p52tiFKfQCWValWWveOQ_q0APzZMOxpJUNhhw/s640/Vaccines+Recommended.jpg" width="595" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0_tc_jVzYzXrJRMcp37v9hj6GDTvoGi6_c9Jt_c_yX5aoqqJjAGxz3p65BFpX33GtT3WjIvZBH3-DWUjcLaBj2lBIYKBnfz97wOIaU_VJO_kVvuPvjFPda5SId83wodaP-TVHV8ve_Y/s1600/Malaria+info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0_tc_jVzYzXrJRMcp37v9hj6GDTvoGi6_c9Jt_c_yX5aoqqJjAGxz3p65BFpX33GtT3WjIvZBH3-DWUjcLaBj2lBIYKBnfz97wOIaU_VJO_kVvuPvjFPda5SId83wodaP-TVHV8ve_Y/s640/Malaria+info.jpg" width="507" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I hope that is helpful for someone out there. We just didn't really think about this part of the adoption journey much until it fell in our laps. If we had been up to date on routine vaccinations before we went to the local international travel clinic we may have saved a decent amount. Lots of vaccines have changed or expired since we were kids, so it's worth asking about. <br />
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And I will warn you that we BOTH had flu-like symptoms (headache, achiness, low-grade fever, and general yucky feeling) for a little over 24 hours after each round. (We split our shots over 2 visits.) Not fun, but certainly not as bad as having yellow fever or whatever! We sent Jonah off with the grandparents for a night so we could just both lay on the couch and rest.<br />
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We are thankful for God's intelligent design of humans, and that he allows us to benefit from modern medicine. But we trust ultimately that God is sovereign over all things, and HE is the one who will protect us from harm and disease in the DRC. (As He has been protecting our children every day!)<br />
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Praying to hear some good news about court soon! (And excited to write a post soon about the Care Packages we sent to baby R and baby girl!)<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-75628228790698229072012-02-04T14:37:00.000-05:002012-02-04T14:37:03.313-05:00baby R's 1st Birthday!<span style="font-size: large;">Today is our lil guy's First Birthday!!!</span> <br />
{Ok, well we don't know when he was <em>actually</em> born since he was abandoned, but today marks 1 year since he was found in the marketplace.}<br />
So we CELEBRATE! <br />
We celebrate that the Lord preserved baby R's life one year ago and every day for the past year!<br />
We thank God for the kind stranger who took pity on our baby boy one year ago today and brought him to the orphange, which is our gateway to him in our lives! <br />
We thank God for his birthmother, that she gave him life and left him in a place where he had a good chance of being found! <br />
And we look forward to <br />
We praise God for healing him from the severe case of malaria he had back in September!<br />
And we look forward to holding him in our arms and giving him lots of belated birthday hugs and kisses in just a few months!!<br />
<br />
We celebrated his birthday with our parents and surprised them by putting his picture on the cake (this was their first look @ their beautiful soon-to-be-grandson and granddaughter! We decided to guard their hearts after losing our sweet baby Leseli in August. We told them they'd have to wait until we passed court and he was "official", but we thought this was a fun way to surprise them & just couldn't wait.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3_aoYFI3V7vi5AQGHL4sbKZNDXS7T7u1YcPKXPLpdBRQPpKoHERJ5COJDYlu3BxknVJStlNkRX5YQcpreblMcEA1DAy9YIcbDj8ED_LTdOpRJST9i06NjJK39RyWydkZWMtyqPHaIYE/s1600/baby+R+bday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3_aoYFI3V7vi5AQGHL4sbKZNDXS7T7u1YcPKXPLpdBRQPpKoHERJ5COJDYlu3BxknVJStlNkRX5YQcpreblMcEA1DAy9YIcbDj8ED_LTdOpRJST9i06NjJK39RyWydkZWMtyqPHaIYE/s400/baby+R+bday+cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Sorry, we can't show you his beautiful face yet, but trust me HE IS A-DORABLE! A very handsome lil guy!}</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLmvwEtzFcpUvQPziz0mX653_U59w7v_HwXUnSpYsUb-s_oft8oFTZ3MUxT1R6EMX8xk2koAJh1MW0GiI0V9ZHzNYWmyx3YdEYzlZTxxtJoJqaJnb650di101Vl_Ss4_DnAWnbBDTLck/s1600/babyR+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLmvwEtzFcpUvQPziz0mX653_U59w7v_HwXUnSpYsUb-s_oft8oFTZ3MUxT1R6EMX8xk2koAJh1MW0GiI0V9ZHzNYWmyx3YdEYzlZTxxtJoJqaJnb650di101Vl_Ss4_DnAWnbBDTLck/s320/babyR+bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
Happy Birthday Baby R! <br />
LOTS of Love,<br />
Your Soon-to-be-Official Mommy, Daddy and big brother =)<br />
{And ALL of your extended family too! They can't wait to meet you and baby sister!}<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016756237730186360.post-49763677340959914862012-01-27T15:49:00.000-05:002012-01-27T15:49:08.046-05:00GREAT NEWS!Here I go again, typing this as it all is still sinking in and becoming real .... you won't believe what we got in our email today: our <strong>baby girl's adbandonment decree</strong>!!<br />
<br />
We are so sad that she, like her soon-to-be-brother, was abandoned in a public place, but we are SO thankful to her birthmother for giving her life and having mercy on her by leaving her in a place where she had hope to be found. We're eternally grateful to the stranger who took pity on her and brought her to the orphanage. And for the orphanage caregiver(s) who have been caring for her for months!<br />
<br />
With the email about this decree came MORE GOOD NEWS: we DO NOT have to wait a month for her birth certificate! {Because she is so young. This is an answer to prayer as we weren't entirely clear on this before!}<br />
<br />
What does this mean?? What's next??<br />
<br />
Baby R's waiting period after his birth certificate was issued will be up NEXT WEEK, Feb. 3rd! <br />
After that our attorney can work on getting our cases presented in court and we will <strong>legally become their PARENTS</strong> when we pass court!! Can you believe it?!?!?! I am weeping tears of JOY just thinking about it and how soon it may be that I will officially become a MOTHER OF 3!<br />
<br />
At one point we were told that it typically takes about 2 weeks to get a court date and 4-8 weeks after that to travel to bring them home, but who knows... we are trying to not trust in the words of man, but that it will all happen in our Sovereign God's perfect timing!!! <br />
<br />
<em>"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!" Psalm 126:3</em><br />
<br />
Joyfully,<br />
<a href="http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/?action=view&current=Blogsigheart.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp91/bethanymeacham/Blogsigheart.png" /></a>Jon & Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637326325919166746noreply@blogger.com6