Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Our 8th Wonder

So 2015 ended with a bang when we were matched with a little boy through foster care who was ready for an adoptive family.


He was about three and a half at the time, just 4 months younger than Eli and our hearts immediately broke for him.

He came from such a hard situation and experienced far more in his short 3 years than anyone should ever have to.

When we met him he was essentially non-verbal, did not eat, was not potty trained, had fitful sleep, was rigid, anxious, angry, defensive, easily stressed, unpredictable and had a host of delays and behaviors that were overwhelming and intimidating. One such issue was his aversion and aggression towards female care givers.  

our first meeting, he let me get close, but not too close

Daddy got all the love at first

starting to warm up


As a mom, I was pretty nervous to meet this little guy, but from day one he surprised us and 10 months later we have a completely different kid.

We have watched a miracle unfold.

my first snuggle


These past 10 months have been absolutely exhausting.  

We have battled the foster care system and all of it's issues (and there are so many issues).  We have ridden the roller coaster of uncertainty.  We have seen hurt and loss and hope and healing all
mixed up into one.

There were many days that we questioned if this was the right decision.  To bring a child that has been so traumatized into our family rocked us all.  Adoption is not easy.  Fostering is definitely not easy.  And loving a child that has endured such pain is not easy.

But it is so worth it.













We are approaching the magic "first year" mark.  That milestone that we as adoptive parents all look forward to.  We figure it will all be better in a year.  And for us, so much is better.  We still have our days, believe me.  But the good days are far outweighing the bad and I can say it was worth it.  

He was worth it!



Our now sweet, affectionate, energetic and adventurous, inquisitive an determined little boy is beginning to thrive.  We were told he may never speak.......he speaks without ceasing and is catching up to milestones every day.  Food issues are no longer an issue!  He is doing better in new situations and is even in preschool now and doing amazingly well.

More and more he is settling in to the routines of life and able to let his guard down to grow and learn and live.

It has been a privilege to watch and we have full confidence that God will continue to work in his life.  

For far too long this precious boy was in limbo.




But God sets the lonely in families.




For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Monday, September 26, 2016

Miracle Monday

We have seen God move in amazing ways on behalf of our friends' little girl.  I am truly in awe of his goodness.  

In just 3 days, over $10,000 have been given!

This sweet girl already has an army of friends and family ready to love her home.

They are just $16,579 away from having the funds needed to proceed.  

That money is due in 10 days.

With the permission of Travis and Robin, I want to share a little bit more of her story because it is with particular urgency that I am advocating for her.

Remember that her Ethiopian name means 
"SHE HAS A STORY TO TELL"

It is her story that caused me through tears to commit to fundraising for her adoption.

You see I am a pediatric nurse practitioner.  When Travis called me on Thursday to tell me about this little girl that they had been presented with, one of the things he asked was for me to review her medical file.

She is significantly malnourished for her age with her height and weight falling below the 5th percentile. While unfortunately this is not uncommon in Ethiopian children, this is still alarming news.  

She has some developmental delays.  Also common in children who are malnourished and in institutionalized care.

But the most concerning information that I received was that at age 2 years,
 she is unable to stand without support and can not walk.

Now any of you who are parents know that these are milestones that are reached as early as 9 months of age and almost always by 18 months of age.

After I finished talking to Travis and giving him all of the possible scenarios that this could mean for her, I asked him,
  "Travis, what are your reservations.  Does any of this information
 make you hesitate to say yes?"

To which he replied, "There are no guarantees with any of our kids, 
my only hesitation is the money."

OK, money we can handle.  

I've seen God provide above and beyond time and time again when we've stepped out in faith to follow him.  

I told Travis, "Get ready for a miracle, because God is going to provide the money."

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Not only are we trusting God for a financial miracle.  We are also trusting him for a healing miracle.

  We know that our God can do all things.  He makes the blind see, he makes the weak strong and he makes the lame WALK!


This precious little girl is fearfully and wonderfully made and she is in need of your support to help bring her home.

Please pray with us that God will completely heal this beautiful child of His and that she will not only walk, but run the race that he has marked out for her, for HIS glory!

We need just 1657 to give $10

or 331 people to give $50

or 166 people to give $100

Any way you look at it, this is a very reachable goal when we all join in and give a little.


If you've already given, THANK YOU, please keep sharing the link










Saturday, September 24, 2016

A Miracle In the Making

I interrupt this extreme blog silence to bring you some very important news.

You may have noticed our family has added one more member.  Our sweet little guy officially joined us on July 22nd!  I'll update on that in a future posts, but for now, we have some friends who are in need of your help.

Our dear friends Travis and Robin have been in the adoption process for over 4 years.  They've lost 2 referrals, been with three agencies, started a sponsorship program in Ethiopia, fostered 3 children and had another baby in those 4 years.  It's been a crazy, busy ride and 
they have followed God all the way.


Yesterday they took the bold step of accepting the referral of a third little girl who waits in Ethiopia.  They are in need of the funds to bring her home.  They've paid for an adoption twice already, but have yet to bring a child home.  Let's help them fund this leap of faith and be a part of a miracle in the making.

What I'm asking you to do is simple.  

Anyone who is reading this blog can do just 2 small things that will make a world of difference.  

GIVE $10 and SHARE this link http://acharityproject.com/f/AllinWith10.  

YOU WILL NEVER MISS THE $10 THAT YOU GIVE, BUT YOU WILL HELP TO CHANGE THE LIFE OF A BEAUTIFUL CHILD.

I want to challenge you not to look away.  

Don't think that someone else will give or that your $10 doesn't matter.  

Don't read this post and think, "Oh what a nice story" and let it stop there.

Do something.

Be a part.

Join together to make a difference.


Click HERE to start your ripple effect!