It's the last day of National Adoption Month, but for our family, advocating for orphans to find homes is ongoing.
E, J, and K and I are reading some great books as part of our Sonlight Core 7. Several of these books have talked about the slave trade. As we read these books, my kids ask, "How could these men have called themselves Christians and acted this way to another human being?" In his book, Radical, David Platt says, (and I'm completely paraphrasing here) that as we look back at the slave trade and ask these questions, Christians 100 years from now will look back at our own time and ask how we stood by and did nothing for the widow, the orphan, those living in extreme poverty, while (now these are my words) we go Black Friday shopping at all hours of the night to get the latest and greatest techie gadget.
I have to admit, I'm really struggling with my own consumerism, especially in the light of what I KNOW to exist in other parts of the world- parents sending their 3-4 year old boys out to tend sheep all day to earn enough money to help feed their families (my son, Gavin had to do this). Not having medical care for malaria, parents die and their children get sent to an orphanage, where they might live for years before finding a forever family or might be put out on the street when they "age out" of the system in most countries (usually around 12 years old). Children with HIV are ostracized in their communities FOR NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. Without medical intervention, they will die. IF they make it to a family in a developed country, they have a chance at a FULL, HEALTHY LIFE.
I struggle with having incredible medical insurance when orphans in Eastern Europe with certain conditions are sent to live their entire lives in "institutions" where they won't get any personal touch, love or hope. Children with cerebral palsy won't be able to get out of bed each day.
Another point in the book Radical that I love is: When Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul and love your neighbor as yourself." He wasn't just talking to a select few. He was talking to all of us. The Bible doesn't say that for a few people, "Religion that is pure and blameless is this go to widows and orphans in their distress."
I pray that my words don't fall on deaf ears, that they are the spark that lights a flame of advocacy for orphans and adoption in other people. I pray that Christians will learn to LIVE their faith everyday to those around them, whether in their communities or in other parts of the world.
Please go back to my friend, Dale's posts about his trip to Ethiopia last week. Look at the pictures, see the kids' faces. Now imagine your OWN (this term gets my goat because some refer to my adopted kids as not my own) kids and try to envision them living in these same conditions. Adoption may not be the answer to all kids, but it CERTAINLY is the answer that so many children need. There are 147 million orphans in the world. There are 147 MILLION children hoping for a Mommy and Daddy to tuck them in at night, to hold them when they're scared, to sing them songs, to help guide them into adulthood.
Visiting Lalibela
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Hallmark: Return from Ethiopia
The Hallmark: Return from Ethiopia#links
Click on the orange words above to link to our friend, Dale's words about his trip to Ethiopia last week- powerful. Can you impact a child's life for Christmas? If so, leave a comment and we'll connect with you with the team from Hopechest!
Click on the orange words above to link to our friend, Dale's words about his trip to Ethiopia last week- powerful. Can you impact a child's life for Christmas? If so, leave a comment and we'll connect with you with the team from Hopechest!
The Hallmark: How tough do you have it?#links
The Hallmark: How tough do you have it?#links
Oh my word- the pictures Dale just posted on their blog will break your heart, or call you to action. Please click on the link above and look at the pictures he took in Ethiopia last week. You'll see the smiles of those kids who have a sponsor and then you'll see pictures of YOUNG boys working as shepherds in the fields. These boys all look to be less than 8 years old- I keep thinking back to what I expected of my big 3 when they were 8 and certainly didn't involve tending animals in a field all day! There are opportunities to sponsor some of the kids in these photos. Click the link that says I sponsor a child at Kind Hearts or on Dale and Kristi's blog "I sponsor a child at Trees of Glory."
Do you sing the song at church that says, "Break my heart for what breaks yours."? Look back at those pictures again. I'm SURE the plight of orphans everywhere breaks God's heart. How can it not?
Oh my word- the pictures Dale just posted on their blog will break your heart, or call you to action. Please click on the link above and look at the pictures he took in Ethiopia last week. You'll see the smiles of those kids who have a sponsor and then you'll see pictures of YOUNG boys working as shepherds in the fields. These boys all look to be less than 8 years old- I keep thinking back to what I expected of my big 3 when they were 8 and certainly didn't involve tending animals in a field all day! There are opportunities to sponsor some of the kids in these photos. Click the link that says I sponsor a child at Kind Hearts or on Dale and Kristi's blog "I sponsor a child at Trees of Glory."
Do you sing the song at church that says, "Break my heart for what breaks yours."? Look back at those pictures again. I'm SURE the plight of orphans everywhere breaks God's heart. How can it not?
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Blog Hop
Check out this new cool tool at the bottom of the blog. It's called Blog Hop. You can click on any adoptive family's blog to get to know more families that look a little like our's. I learn so much from these families- and are so encouraged by them. I'm warning you, though, you could lose half a day reading their stories.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
I have so many things to be thankful for, most of whom live right here with me.
1. My husband - what an amazing provider. He works so hard everyday and doesn't ever complain with the number of hours required to run his own business and yet- makes it to all of the kids's activities. When he's not working, he's with us, no outside hobbies to take him away from being the Dad he loves to be. He makes dinner time entertaining everynight, as he tries to get ALL of the kids engaged in conversation. I can't imagine life without him...
2.K: As one of the "original 3", he is growing into such a neat man of integrity. He always knows when we need to pray for a situation. He has a great work ethic and is a blast to be around. I love his desire to learn!!
3. J: She is just about as even as one can be. She works hard at everything she does and excels at almost everything. We can have long talks about life, laugh hard together and play hard together (she has surpassed my b-ball abilities).
4. E: Is about as full of life as anyone can be. She constantly reminds us of what is truly important in life, the relationships we have with those around us. She has a heart for the unloved, which has been shared with all of us. She is a great travel companion.
5. M: He has grown more in the past 3 months than we ever dreamed. He is funny, responsible and loves to help around the house. He works diligently at his schooling and has come so far in his scholastic abilities.
6. Big L: She is SWEET, SWEET, SWEET. I've never met anyone with such a servant's heart. It almost kills her when we ask her not to help clean up after a meal to give her a break because she LOVES to help. She has a deep love of the Lord.
7. Big G: He is hilarious, full of life and willing to try almost anything. He has really come out of his shell to be a full member of this family. I am so thankful for the athletic abilities God has given him.
8. H: She has more energy than I knew a kid could have. Everything about this little girl is BIG- big personality, big voice and beautiful great big hair! She loves to snuggle and is learning and understanding English so quickly.
9. Little G: Our little dude has matured so much this year. He is strong, athletic and yet very sweet. He loves his family deeply and doesn't forget to tell us regularly.
10. L: Her smile can melt anyone's sour mood. She is generous, kind and smart. I love hearing her play the piano and watch her learning all about her violin...She is a miracle and I'm SO thankful that God brought the miracle to us!
11. My treadmill- it makes this MOmmy much nicer on those cold ND days when we can't get outside.
12. MY GOD. He has and is doing a major work in me this year. I'm so excited to live radically for HIM and I know this will continue to involve loving on kids. I'll paraphrase William Wilberforce by saying, "We can't ignore the things we know and have seen." Through my travels to ET, my eyes have been opened and I cannot possibly ignore the needs of the children of this world.
Don't forget to buy that coffee today and tomorrow! See yesterday's post for more information!
1. My husband - what an amazing provider. He works so hard everyday and doesn't ever complain with the number of hours required to run his own business and yet- makes it to all of the kids's activities. When he's not working, he's with us, no outside hobbies to take him away from being the Dad he loves to be. He makes dinner time entertaining everynight, as he tries to get ALL of the kids engaged in conversation. I can't imagine life without him...
2.K: As one of the "original 3", he is growing into such a neat man of integrity. He always knows when we need to pray for a situation. He has a great work ethic and is a blast to be around. I love his desire to learn!!
3. J: She is just about as even as one can be. She works hard at everything she does and excels at almost everything. We can have long talks about life, laugh hard together and play hard together (she has surpassed my b-ball abilities).
4. E: Is about as full of life as anyone can be. She constantly reminds us of what is truly important in life, the relationships we have with those around us. She has a heart for the unloved, which has been shared with all of us. She is a great travel companion.
5. M: He has grown more in the past 3 months than we ever dreamed. He is funny, responsible and loves to help around the house. He works diligently at his schooling and has come so far in his scholastic abilities.
6. Big L: She is SWEET, SWEET, SWEET. I've never met anyone with such a servant's heart. It almost kills her when we ask her not to help clean up after a meal to give her a break because she LOVES to help. She has a deep love of the Lord.
7. Big G: He is hilarious, full of life and willing to try almost anything. He has really come out of his shell to be a full member of this family. I am so thankful for the athletic abilities God has given him.
8. H: She has more energy than I knew a kid could have. Everything about this little girl is BIG- big personality, big voice and beautiful great big hair! She loves to snuggle and is learning and understanding English so quickly.
9. Little G: Our little dude has matured so much this year. He is strong, athletic and yet very sweet. He loves his family deeply and doesn't forget to tell us regularly.
10. L: Her smile can melt anyone's sour mood. She is generous, kind and smart. I love hearing her play the piano and watch her learning all about her violin...She is a miracle and I'm SO thankful that God brought the miracle to us!
11. My treadmill- it makes this MOmmy much nicer on those cold ND days when we can't get outside.
12. MY GOD. He has and is doing a major work in me this year. I'm so excited to live radically for HIM and I know this will continue to involve loving on kids. I'll paraphrase William Wilberforce by saying, "We can't ignore the things we know and have seen." Through my travels to ET, my eyes have been opened and I cannot possibly ignore the needs of the children of this world.
Don't forget to buy that coffee today and tomorrow! See yesterday's post for more information!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Great coffee for a great cause!!
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheHaskins
Our friends, here in Williston just started the process to adopt from ETHIOPIA!! We are so excited to be able to come alongside them as they choose to obey God's calling in their lives. You can check out their blog at http://www.haskinshope.blogspot.com
They also have an account with Just Love Coffee Roasters to help with their adoption fundraising. Now, I'm not a coffee drinker, but I've been told by many people that this is GREAT coffee. This Thursday and Friday, they are having a contest and the winning account will get 20 bags of coffee for free--that will really help with fundraising!!! If you are looking for nice Christmas gifts for the coffee lovers in your lives, then please, click on the link posted above, go to Just Love Coffee and help our friends bring home a child from ET!
Our friends, here in Williston just started the process to adopt from ETHIOPIA!! We are so excited to be able to come alongside them as they choose to obey God's calling in their lives. You can check out their blog at http://www.haskinshope.blogspot.com
They also have an account with Just Love Coffee Roasters to help with their adoption fundraising. Now, I'm not a coffee drinker, but I've been told by many people that this is GREAT coffee. This Thursday and Friday, they are having a contest and the winning account will get 20 bags of coffee for free--that will really help with fundraising!!! If you are looking for nice Christmas gifts for the coffee lovers in your lives, then please, click on the link posted above, go to Just Love Coffee and help our friends bring home a child from ET!
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