- We will officially be traveling on Sept 12. We will be splitting up in country. Mike will be going after Jake and I will be going after Finn. We will meet after two days in province. We have money for tickets and probably most of hotels, but we are still short on travel funds. Please look at our current fundraisers or ask about our 3-D fiber lash mascara party. We need another 10k to be fully funded, but probably another 5k to be able to travel. Thanks!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Here We Come
Monday, August 25, 2014
At
this point the Travel Approval has been issued, but we have not yet
received a hard copy. We in the adoption world like to call that 'soft'.
So now we have soft approval. In a normal world that would mean it
will be here in a day or two and then we will know when we will travel.
But since our LOA got lost in the mail and took almost a month to get
here, I am not holding my breath for prompt arrival lol. Still, this is
it, y'all.
We have enough funds to buy tickets, not a dime for food, hotels and other in-country expenses. So while I am excited, I'm also a little bit nervous. I don't know what will happen with that, since we literally have no more sources of money. But we're trusting God and making our arrangements anyway! Eeeeep! Wish us luck and send us prayers for funds!
Amber
We have enough funds to buy tickets, not a dime for food, hotels and other in-country expenses. So while I am excited, I'm also a little bit nervous. I don't know what will happen with that, since we literally have no more sources of money. But we're trusting God and making our arrangements anyway! Eeeeep! Wish us luck and send us prayers for funds!
Amber
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Important to Note
If you guys are donating to our FSP to participate in our quilt contest, please comment below or send me a message. I don't have any way of seeing who is donating.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Someday my Prince...TA...Will Come
So...we are down to the wire! All we are waiting on is TA, travel approval, and we'll be off to get our boys. We've got a teensy little problem though. Actually, it's about eleven thousand problems. Our adoption itself is paid for, but our travel is not funded at all! We need around $5K to be fully funded food, in country transportation, all the random people we are apparently supposed to be tipping on our trip, and carrying cash in case there's an emergency.
With that in mind, we have a new fundraiser we hope will be very successful. And, hey you all are probably excited to hear this, it will be one of our last fundraisers! (Mainly because we are running out of time, but hey, take the good news and run with it.)
We have already done a quilt contest as I'm sure some of you may remember. Whoever offered a donation of ten dollars or more had their names thrown in a hat for a quilt made by this lady. Remember her? She's a true artist in my opinion. Actually, literally. It isn't an opinion thing. She's an artist. She has a degree in art from Texas Tech. Mind...blown. Anyway, her quilts are amazing.
So, that being shown, here's what we're up to. Yeah, it's summer. I feel you. You think my Swinter (Wummer?) blanket contest is crazy! It's all good. Summer is almost over. And everyone loves a good blanket! And these are great blankets! Cue the applause and excitement!
Amber
With that in mind, we have a new fundraiser we hope will be very successful. And, hey you all are probably excited to hear this, it will be one of our last fundraisers! (Mainly because we are running out of time, but hey, take the good news and run with it.)
We have already done a quilt contest as I'm sure some of you may remember. Whoever offered a donation of ten dollars or more had their names thrown in a hat for a quilt made by this lady. Remember her? She's a true artist in my opinion. Actually, literally. It isn't an opinion thing. She's an artist. She has a degree in art from Texas Tech. Mind...blown. Anyway, her quilts are amazing.
So, that being shown, here's what we're up to. Yeah, it's summer. I feel you. You think my Swinter (Wummer?) blanket contest is crazy! It's all good. Summer is almost over. And everyone loves a good blanket! And these are great blankets! Cue the applause and excitement!
These blankets are high quality quilts made with care and excellent fabrics. These quilts cost approximately 100.00 to 150.00 dollars per quilt to make. Excellent handmade quilts usually retail in the two hundred dollars and up range. Every donation of $15 or more, will be dropped into our hat for one of the following quilts. Like our last contest, this will require 50 entries before we give away the quilts. If you make a donation of fifteen dollars or more to our FSP, found here http://reecesrainbow.org/70645/sponsoranderson-2 please let me know so I can put your names in the drawing. So why don't we get on to what I know you all want to see.
Items 1-3.
Three quilts made by Darlene C, the woman who made the amazing quilts above! The quilts will be 4 feet by 4 feet. Best suited for a twin bed or a lap quilt. Below are the quilts Darlene C. made for our last quilt contest. As you can see, they are amazing. Darlene is willing to make quilts to specifications ASSUMING that she has available fabric in the colors or styles you're wanting. She's pretty accommodating, though.
Once again, these are not the actual quilts you'll be getting. These are someone else's quilts. You'll be getting your own blankets made to your tastes. The blankets above are just more samples of Darlene's actual work.
Item 4
The Fall Quilt! I don't know what this is really called, but I like to call it the fall quilt. Or the man quilt sometimes haha. This is a twin/full sized quilt, made in gorgeous fall colors. Personally, I would use it for myself, but there is a certain masculine flavor to this one if you're looking for a male present.
Love it. Fall colors are my favorite!! I can't wait for fall! Whoa. Now that my random excitement is over, let's move on.
Item 5
A traditional quilt in your favored colors. I don't have any pictures, because it isn't made yet! We're making it for you, yo. Under the careful fingers of a bunch of church ladies, this quilt will be all covered in love. And excellent stitching work. And possibly a tiny bit of Jello. We are talking about a bunch of Mo ladies, here. But mostly, love.
Thanks for sharing!
Amber
Friday, August 1, 2014
I Feel Pretty...
Hey all! Time to get pretty! From today
until August 15, every purchase of Avon made through this link will mean
money for our adoption. http://adoption.avonrepresentative.com/ Avon is awesome stuff and Natalie Keller is an awesome lady,
who is donating all of her commission, 20% of every order, to our
family until the middle of this month. Now is the time your tweens and
teens also need new lip gloss, lotions, and jewelry for back to school!
Thanks!!
Monday, July 28, 2014
I Saw God Today
When I was in my early 20s one of my very best friends made some not so great choices. As a result she spent some intensive time in a process of repentance to return where she wanted to be in her life. Though her process was hard and fraught with negative moments, I have to admit that I was jealous of her journey.
No, I didn't want to spend months in agony, wishing I'd made different choices. No, I wasn't jealous of her hard times. But...I was jealous of the other side of her experience. I saw that her spirituality was growing in leaps and bounds. Because of her quest for forgiveness she had a knowledge of, and a relationship with, Christ that I could never truly understand. The kind of relationship that comes only through a special connection to the core of Christ's purpose, redemption. I could strive to understand it, but I would never understand it the way someone who hit their knees for months, begging for forgiveness, would. So, yes, I was a little jealous.
All these years later, I realize that growth comes slowly and my understanding of the Savior and his purpose has matured with me. But I still looked and I knew that I was missing an understanding of something greater than myself that only comes from being in the trenches, from hard spiritual warfare.
Recently, I've developed an obsession with 80s and 90s country. I listen to it every time I get in the car. The other day I was driving home and I heard the old George Straight song, "I Saw God Today." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q06AvQF5NOw
It's not really super deep, or anything. I've certainly heard more spiritual songs, even on popular radio. But it includes these lines as the chorus. "I've been to church, I've read the book, I know He's there, but I don't look, near as often as I should. His fingerprints are everywhere, I just look down and stop and stare, open my eye and then I swear, I Saw God Today."
I was tapping along with the beat and I thought to myself, "I don't know what this guy is talking about that he doesn't see God's hand in everything and that he really has to look." Then, I realized that this condition of seeing God's work in everything comes directly from our adoption experience. Most certainly, I saw God often before I was adopting. I've experienced many miracles in my life.
But being part of the adoption community has shown me dozens of miracles every day. Real, true miracles. Mountains that only the Lord could move crumble before families striving to bring their children home. Obstacles that seem impossible are overcome with small and large events in a never ending series that allows His will to happen. Even our own adoption bears the hand print of a loving Lord and Father dozens of times over. After months of seeing miracles happen day in and day out for so many children and so many families, any doubt that our Father in Heaven sees every one of us, cares for every one of us, knows the name of all of his children, has fallen away. He is the author of miracles, the Father of us all, even lowly orphans, even desperate parents who have no clue what they are doing and are rushing forward anyway, even those of us who don't think we deserve his love. He is watching. He loves us. If we let him, he will show us His hand.
When I had that thought, I remembered what I'd felt like nearly twenty years ago, when I was envious of my friend's precious understanding of a concept bigger than my brain. I thought, "everyone should experience adoption. Then they would know. They would understand the staggering amount of care each of us is given by a God who keeps us." Even though it was a concept I knew, it was not something weaved into every fiber of my being. Just how much we are watched over. Just how much He cares. I didn't understand because maybe I wasn't looking. This process, which is honestly hellish, is one of the best things that has ever happened to our family. This growth is not something we could have reached without stretching, without answering this call, without stepping outside of our comfort zones. It's very like the experience of my friend. We're in pain. Sometimes, we're in downright agony. We are dragging ourselves through hard times on our way to the finish line. (So we can get on to the next incredible challenge lol) Because of that agony, because of these hard times, we are experiencing what I wished for years ago. A deeper understanding. A softer neck, a bigger heart, a stronger ability to lean not unto my own understanding.
The truth is, there's a million paths to a closer understanding of God and of Jesus. There's one for all of us. It's a different for everyone. But, at this point, I'm pretty sure it's always agony. I'm pretty sure it's all growing pains, and bad moments, and times we question how much we really want whatever it is we're striving for. I'm thinking there's no way to grow without it hurting a little.
But, even when it hurts, I'm really so grateful to be on this journey. For me, this entire adoption has been a spiritual journey more than it will ever be a journey to China. I'm grateful that God has allowed us to be a part of a community where I see SO many miracles. If you could see the things I see every day. Permission given where none seemed possible. Papers processed where the government seemed to have dropped the ball. Money coming for people with nothing left in their pockets who are leaving to pick up kids in some war torn Eastern European country. Protection given where death seems imminent. Frankly, I'm hard pressed not to see God in everything anymore!
Am I encouraging everyone to adopt? Always! ;) But really, I'm just saying start looking and praying and it isn't hard at all to see holiness in the everyday. Just prepare for a few aches and pains along the way!
Amber
No, I didn't want to spend months in agony, wishing I'd made different choices. No, I wasn't jealous of her hard times. But...I was jealous of the other side of her experience. I saw that her spirituality was growing in leaps and bounds. Because of her quest for forgiveness she had a knowledge of, and a relationship with, Christ that I could never truly understand. The kind of relationship that comes only through a special connection to the core of Christ's purpose, redemption. I could strive to understand it, but I would never understand it the way someone who hit their knees for months, begging for forgiveness, would. So, yes, I was a little jealous.
All these years later, I realize that growth comes slowly and my understanding of the Savior and his purpose has matured with me. But I still looked and I knew that I was missing an understanding of something greater than myself that only comes from being in the trenches, from hard spiritual warfare.
Recently, I've developed an obsession with 80s and 90s country. I listen to it every time I get in the car. The other day I was driving home and I heard the old George Straight song, "I Saw God Today." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q06AvQF5NOw
It's not really super deep, or anything. I've certainly heard more spiritual songs, even on popular radio. But it includes these lines as the chorus. "I've been to church, I've read the book, I know He's there, but I don't look, near as often as I should. His fingerprints are everywhere, I just look down and stop and stare, open my eye and then I swear, I Saw God Today."
I was tapping along with the beat and I thought to myself, "I don't know what this guy is talking about that he doesn't see God's hand in everything and that he really has to look." Then, I realized that this condition of seeing God's work in everything comes directly from our adoption experience. Most certainly, I saw God often before I was adopting. I've experienced many miracles in my life.
But being part of the adoption community has shown me dozens of miracles every day. Real, true miracles. Mountains that only the Lord could move crumble before families striving to bring their children home. Obstacles that seem impossible are overcome with small and large events in a never ending series that allows His will to happen. Even our own adoption bears the hand print of a loving Lord and Father dozens of times over. After months of seeing miracles happen day in and day out for so many children and so many families, any doubt that our Father in Heaven sees every one of us, cares for every one of us, knows the name of all of his children, has fallen away. He is the author of miracles, the Father of us all, even lowly orphans, even desperate parents who have no clue what they are doing and are rushing forward anyway, even those of us who don't think we deserve his love. He is watching. He loves us. If we let him, he will show us His hand.
When I had that thought, I remembered what I'd felt like nearly twenty years ago, when I was envious of my friend's precious understanding of a concept bigger than my brain. I thought, "everyone should experience adoption. Then they would know. They would understand the staggering amount of care each of us is given by a God who keeps us." Even though it was a concept I knew, it was not something weaved into every fiber of my being. Just how much we are watched over. Just how much He cares. I didn't understand because maybe I wasn't looking. This process, which is honestly hellish, is one of the best things that has ever happened to our family. This growth is not something we could have reached without stretching, without answering this call, without stepping outside of our comfort zones. It's very like the experience of my friend. We're in pain. Sometimes, we're in downright agony. We are dragging ourselves through hard times on our way to the finish line. (So we can get on to the next incredible challenge lol) Because of that agony, because of these hard times, we are experiencing what I wished for years ago. A deeper understanding. A softer neck, a bigger heart, a stronger ability to lean not unto my own understanding.
The truth is, there's a million paths to a closer understanding of God and of Jesus. There's one for all of us. It's a different for everyone. But, at this point, I'm pretty sure it's always agony. I'm pretty sure it's all growing pains, and bad moments, and times we question how much we really want whatever it is we're striving for. I'm thinking there's no way to grow without it hurting a little.
But, even when it hurts, I'm really so grateful to be on this journey. For me, this entire adoption has been a spiritual journey more than it will ever be a journey to China. I'm grateful that God has allowed us to be a part of a community where I see SO many miracles. If you could see the things I see every day. Permission given where none seemed possible. Papers processed where the government seemed to have dropped the ball. Money coming for people with nothing left in their pockets who are leaving to pick up kids in some war torn Eastern European country. Protection given where death seems imminent. Frankly, I'm hard pressed not to see God in everything anymore!
Am I encouraging everyone to adopt? Always! ;) But really, I'm just saying start looking and praying and it isn't hard at all to see holiness in the everyday. Just prepare for a few aches and pains along the way!
Amber
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Skirting the Issue...
Get some new stuff to try and bolster up our matching grant. We have
one skirt in this style in the following sizes, size 4/5, size 6/6X,
size 7/8, and size 10. Each one comes with a matching skirt for an
American Girl sized doll. The two skirts together are $15 plus $3
shipping to my FSP http://reecesrainbow.org/70645/sponsoranderson-2 Remember there's only one set in each size so be sure to let me know which size you want and forward your receipt! Thanks!
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