SPELLING IT ALL OUT....

Hello!

I was asked to put our needs out there and tell everyone what exactly is going on...so here is the latest!

Yes, we are NOT totally funded for our adoption.

We have several fundraisers going on to help bring Jacob and Sara and I wanted to highlight them here.

 One wonderful family has stepped to do a fundraiser for us.  They are making these beautiful bracelets.  They are $5 each or 3 of them for $12.

Here is a note from them....
The Lowman's are where we were this time last year - working as hard and as fast as they can to get their daughter home before she ages out in March. We have been so blessed by our sweet Kassi and it makes me sick to think of what could have happened. We can't let Sara age out!!! She and her brother Jacob are both waiting in China and the Lowman's must be there before Sara's birthday.

These bangle bracelets were handmade by my sweet brother, Kellin.
They are $5 each, or 3 bangles for $12.

These pictures show each of the charms that we have - we have essentially any combination that you would like! The charms are: Rose, Dove, Angel, Cross, Star, Green Pearl, Peach Pearl, Clear Crystal, Orange Crystal and Blue Crystal. Just tell us which two you'd like on your bracelet(s)!

If you'd like to purchase a bracelet or three, please comment here and I'll PM you with payment and shipping details.

Thank you so much for helping to get Sara and Jacob home!!!

Here are the bracelets individually.

If you are interested in any of the bracelets, leave a comment on my blog.  They are private and I can put you in touch with the family doing the fundraiser.

We are also having a LALuRoe fundraiser on February 13th and 15th to benefit our adoption.  It takes place on Facebook and if you were interested, I can add you to the page.

We are getting close to travel time and are getting excited to bring our kiddos HOME!

LID

We are LID!

(Logged in Date)  

Just one step closer and China is going to work on expediting now!  Yippee!

Why?

Come ....be a part of their story.....a story that will change their life and yours!

Why Rescue Orphans?  

Have you ever seen the redemption in a little person who found love and acceptance and the gift of family?  I challenge you to take a peak into the adoption world and find children whose lives have been forever changed.  If you can't find any...private message me by leaving a comment.  I'd be happy to direct you to some.

BUT

We've been asked many questions so we thought we would point you to reasons why we do what we do....

Our family verse is James 1:27....we even have it written into the cement in our barn as a reminder for years to come with our last name and farm name.  The Lord tells us to build reminders of what he has done for us....any we have many blessings in our life because of what he has done!

Children are a blessing....ALL children.

We are commanded to take care of any Widow and orphan....God even calls it pure religion!  And yes, we do minister to the widows.  We see this as part of what we do and we even include our children in our family ministry.

Because of the overwhelming need and because God directs us to do so in scripture:

If you have any doubts about it, please read below:

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, “Give them up!” and to the south, “Do not hold them back.” Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth”  Isaiah 43:5-6

“A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.  God sets the lonely in families.  (Psalms 68:5-6)

“He defends the cause of the fatherless”  (Deuteronomy 10:18)

“You are the helpers of the fatherless.” (Psalm 10:14)

“It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” (James 1:27)

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16)

 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

 “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5)

 “And Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:16)

 “Remember those…who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3)

 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us…let us not love with word or tongue, but with action and in truth.” (I John 3:16-18)

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (Matthew 25:35)

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…defend the rights of the needy.” (Proverbs 31:8,9)

 “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 22:16)

We need to be the hands and feet of Jesus and we are all part of this process.  

We need to rise up and see what God is calling us to....

Orphans...

...love one.

...adopt one.

...mentor one.

...help bring one home.

...support Adoption!

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year....seems to be a very big deal in China where families comes together and celebrate, time is given off from work and school and everyone eats lots of good food together!

This year, with a little urging from Ben...we made all of our own food!  We also invited a friend of ours who also has 2 children from China.

So here are a few pictures of the fun we had....

Ben, our chief dumpling maker with his trusty side kick, Kiara.  She is always up for some good food adventures in the kitchen!

Some of treats....fried rice, teriyaki chicken, pork roll, lo mein, Asian vegetables, dumplings, crab Rangoon....it was all so good!  The biggest debate of the night was to use chopsticks or a fork....we had to hold Ben back...he can't believe we can eat faster than him with chopsticks and we don't let him use the steam shovel method--picking up your plate and raking it in!  The good news is that some used forks but most stuck to their chopsticks.  

We topped it off with a nerf gun fight and brownies and ice cream....a sweet ending to a fun night!

Yes! We are DTC!

DTC!

D.....T.....C!

Three letters that in the Chinese Adoption world mean BIG stuff!  Dossier To China...it's been a long, rough road for us this time but sweet--none the less...sweet!

We long to bring home these two kiddos!  Jacob and Sara....we are praying for you to prepare our hearts and our home for your arrival!

God Has His Hand on Her Life

This girl....yes, this is the one!  You have to hear her story....it is pretty amazing.

No...it's Seriously, amazing!

This girl was an orphan and adopted in her home country.  We do not know the details.  Her adoptive father passed away.  She was taken to the local orphanage.  I just can't imagine how hard this was for her.

She was close to an aging out situation....she would lose her chance at ever having family....

BUT as she would have it....a family came for her!  

While shopping in China, her new family went into a book store.  They even let her pick a book!  She chose a comic book.  Just a simple act.....

The family left her....left her in China because she did not pick a 'classic' is how the story goes....somehow, somehow...it was picked up in the local media.  There was an outcry...After all, she was an age out.

But sometimes all of our hopes come tumbling down....but then HE always makes Beauty from Ashes!

The ONE who has always known her...took those ashes and used them for her good.

A unnamed public official orders a bone density scan to prove her age.  It finds she is younger than expected and a new age is set! Praise God!

And then....our stories collide!  

Actually crash through a series of events!

We (me actually) were looking at aging out boys....ONLY boys.  

My hubby said I feel it's a girl....I laughed (you would think by now I would just kind of know better!). You see dear husband, there can't be a girl because said wife is not looking at girls!  End of story!  

But we all know how that goes...

Well....somehow Sara's file ends up at our agency.  They were doing work for another agency and it fell through!

We get a call...Louisa, we feel this is your girl!  I am always open....and ask questions.  When I call my hubby, he immediately looks for the email, opens her file and knows.....

"That's my girl!  Let's go get her!"

(Yep, never, ever laugh ladies)

Don't you just love it when God has a bigger plan and it just catches you off guard and you find that it is...well, a BEAUTIFUL thing?

It seems HE has had His hand on her life and we are so grateful to be a part of her story!

Please help us pray this sweet young girl home!

Help us Bring HOME Sara and Jacob

This amazing little company is coming along side us to help us bring home Jacob and Sara!  The have pledged all of of their profits for the month of January towards our adoption!  How cool is that?

We are SO excited to be a part of this and to offer it to you too.  Local folks...this company is right in our home town and we can get product to you locally.  If you aren't local....they are offering a flat rate shipping for all orders....an extra bonus gift!

Place your order here at this link https://squareup.com/store/homespun-organics

You will receive great....ALL natural products and help us bring our kiddos home!