Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Church Adoption Funds
An adoption fund is a tangible way for the church to not only support adoption, but also it's families. Our church just finalized an adoption fund through Lifesong. It has taken over a year and a half of coordinating with church staff and deacons, but it is finally in place! Now to raise some funds! Enjoy the information!
Jennifer
"The blessings go way beyond any financial support because the family is just knowing that the church cares."
--Dave Blaske, His Kids-Our Homes Adoption Fund Director
Listen in as His Kids-Our Homes Adoption Fund share about their partnership with Lifesong for Orphans...
It has been exciting for us as a ministry to have a front-row view in what God is doing through our 210 active and intentional Church Fund Partners. In the past six months alone, we have seen the generosity of these churches provide over $627,650 to 193 adoptive families in the form of grants and loans.
The refreshing joy of serving families, blessing orphans, and ultimately glorifying God is at the core of each church fund that we partner with. We celebrate the work that God is doing through each of them as He places the lonely into families (Psalm 68:6).
For more stories about how a church fund can bless adoptive families, we invite you to watch the Quine & Stewart family adoption videos.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." Hebrews 10:24
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Today We Met Our Goal
So being the good mom that I am (lol), I have no pictures of today's feat, BUT we went out to a public playground! as a family!!! (minus Mr. Incredible) and Lolipop was with the general population (not in some stroller or swing)!!!!!
This may not seem like a large accomplishment to some, but for us... this was HUGE! actually bigger than HUGE. It was a FIRST!
Before we left the house, I looked at the kids and gave them the rules #1 Obey the rules of the facility #2 Come when mom calls (because you never know when you might have to leave) #3 Behave like you know you are supposed to. Then I looked directly at L and said, "I want you to try not to break anything."
So in her Wee Walker boot on her right leg and with a shoe on and ace bandage around her left leg, Lollipop played. She played in the water, walked the perimeter of the concrete, used the restroom, and once with brother's assistance played on the play equipment. She sat. She stood. She splashed. She played. She had fun. (and there was even a daycare around, I was a little nervous about that)
AND tonight as I was tucking her into bed and we talked about our day with a GIGANTIC smile on her face she proclaimed, "I didn't break anything today!". I still asked if anything hurt as is our somewhat nightly custom, but she stated that she didn't have any pain in her legs and she even gave me a high five with her left arm (she's favored that one since it came out of the cast in May and hasn't given high fives with it).
I am truly one blessed mama tonight.
This may not seem like a large accomplishment to some, but for us... this was HUGE! actually bigger than HUGE. It was a FIRST!
Before we left the house, I looked at the kids and gave them the rules #1 Obey the rules of the facility #2 Come when mom calls (because you never know when you might have to leave) #3 Behave like you know you are supposed to. Then I looked directly at L and said, "I want you to try not to break anything."
So in her Wee Walker boot on her right leg and with a shoe on and ace bandage around her left leg, Lollipop played. She played in the water, walked the perimeter of the concrete, used the restroom, and once with brother's assistance played on the play equipment. She sat. She stood. She splashed. She played. She had fun. (and there was even a daycare around, I was a little nervous about that)
AND tonight as I was tucking her into bed and we talked about our day with a GIGANTIC smile on her face she proclaimed, "I didn't break anything today!". I still asked if anything hurt as is our somewhat nightly custom, but she stated that she didn't have any pain in her legs and she even gave me a high five with her left arm (she's favored that one since it came out of the cast in May and hasn't given high fives with it).
I am truly one blessed mama tonight.
Friday, July 13, 2012
It's Been A While!
The statement 'so much has happened' is so inadequate for all that has happened.
I would love to go into details, but God is still working and I want to be sensitive to what HE is doing.
I will tell you a couple things.
1) We received an answer for a specific prayer and it was a good thing! We have actually gotten answers for several prayers, but this one involved a government agency and was in direct contrast to what we were being told even just a month ago.
2) God is continuing to work on us. Oh this hurts! I am tired! However, I ran across this verse.
Isaiah 7:9b 'If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.'
Where we live there have been many storms lately. As I was headed into town yet again one day, I had the experience of having beautiful skies around me yet being headed into a very dark, foreboding storm. In my brain I had this instant snapshot of what my little solitary minivan must look like headed into this huge storm. I have thought back over that in these days since.
In our life we are on a path, maybe it's broad or maybe it's narrow, I know I want to be on the narrow path!
-Matt. 7:13 (NIV) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
We might be traveling alone or only with a few.
-The Gospels are filled with times of Jesus withdrawing and teaching his disciples (the few) or spending time alone.
Sometimes God will have us head into a storm so that he can show his faithfulness. All that comes into our life is first sifted through God's fingers, so whether 'good' or 'bad' it is all ultimately for our edification, purification and sanctification. (think Job) The 'storms' that come into our life can either strengthen our faith and cause us to trust God more or they can make us turn tail and run.
-James 1
We need to be thankful and praise God for refining us. Looking only to him as our salvation. Focusing our thoughts on HIS provision, faithfulness, mercy and love.
-Job does a great job (ha!) of focusing on God even when 'his friends' are saying that the bad in his life is from some sin or his 'loving wife' says, just curse God.
I know that my focus needs to be on God. So until these storms pass, things may continue to be a bit sparse here.
I would love to go into details, but God is still working and I want to be sensitive to what HE is doing.
I will tell you a couple things.
1) We received an answer for a specific prayer and it was a good thing! We have actually gotten answers for several prayers, but this one involved a government agency and was in direct contrast to what we were being told even just a month ago.
2) God is continuing to work on us. Oh this hurts! I am tired! However, I ran across this verse.
Isaiah 7:9b 'If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.'
Where we live there have been many storms lately. As I was headed into town yet again one day, I had the experience of having beautiful skies around me yet being headed into a very dark, foreboding storm. In my brain I had this instant snapshot of what my little solitary minivan must look like headed into this huge storm. I have thought back over that in these days since.
In our life we are on a path, maybe it's broad or maybe it's narrow, I know I want to be on the narrow path!
-Matt. 7:13 (NIV) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
We might be traveling alone or only with a few.
-The Gospels are filled with times of Jesus withdrawing and teaching his disciples (the few) or spending time alone.
Sometimes God will have us head into a storm so that he can show his faithfulness. All that comes into our life is first sifted through God's fingers, so whether 'good' or 'bad' it is all ultimately for our edification, purification and sanctification. (think Job) The 'storms' that come into our life can either strengthen our faith and cause us to trust God more or they can make us turn tail and run.
-James 1
We need to be thankful and praise God for refining us. Looking only to him as our salvation. Focusing our thoughts on HIS provision, faithfulness, mercy and love.
-Job does a great job (ha!) of focusing on God even when 'his friends' are saying that the bad in his life is from some sin or his 'loving wife' says, just curse God.
I know that my focus needs to be on God. So until these storms pass, things may continue to be a bit sparse here.
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