God Bless America

After fighting a stomach virus this week, and taking care of Abby while she was sick this morning, I can't help but think how lucky we are to be here......right here in the good ole' USA (all political jokes aside, please). 

It's only by the grace of God that I was born here.  While fighting a stomach bug, I have the leisure of resting in a warm bed, snuggled in the blankets, checking my FB account while texting my hubby in the other room to ask him to bring me some sprite.  I have the luxury of clean running water and a toilet to hug in all of my misery.  These are the simple things we all too often take for granted. 

This morning when Abby was sick I was able to reassure her that she would be fine, and that a doctor's visit would not be necessary today.  I knew that everything would be okay, and it is.  Actually, she bounced back much faster than me.

But if it wasn't for God's grace, I wouldn't have this assurance.  If I had been born in Ethiopia, this simple stomach bug could be life threatening.  No warm bed to rest in, more like a mud floor.  No clean water to drink, and no sewage system to keep this from spreading.  I might not even be able to see a doctor if I were dehydrated.  And as a mother, I would look at my sick child with worry.  Would my child even make it through the night?  There would be no reassuring words to tell her.

If it wasn't for God's grace I may not even be here.  If I had been born in China, I would likely have been aborted, or I would be an orphan.  I am the second child in my family, and the Chinese are not permitted to have more than one child.  Either my life would have ended too soon, or I would be left to face the world scared and alone.  But God put me here.

We often sulk in our own self-pity (I am guilty of this for sure) and we forget how fortunate we are.  I am truly blessed to be right HERE where I am.  For what reason God has placed me here, I don't know.  But I am going to use all he has given me to help at least ONE child.  To make a difference in ONE life that will impact and inspire so many others.

Dx3 Graphics

Personalized Plate



 

 

Since I've been home sick today anyway, I thought I would sieze this opportunity to update my blog.  I'm sure some of you are getting tired of hearing about fundraising.  But, this is where we are at right now. Our amazing family and friends have provided us with some great opportunities.  And I just HAVE to share!



Custom Birthday Cake Print -I just LOVE the Superman!

 

I was contacted by Duane, over at Dx3 Graphics who is willing to donate a perentage of his sales that are referred by me.  He makes a lot of amazing things, a few of my favorites I am including in this blog but you can find so much more by checking out his page here.  I've also included a link to the right for future reference.

Personalized Coffee Mugs - Various sizes available

Everything Duane does is one of a kind, so please contact him for prices! 

And don't forget to mention, we sent you! 

dx3graphics@aol.com

 

 

 

Personalized Travel Mugs

 

With Mother's Day and Father's Day ahead, I think these personalized mugs would make great gifts for all the grandparents!

 

Custom shirts.....and MUCH more

Okay, so he has so many things on his site, this blog could go on forever!  And he's up for a challenge, so if you have something in mind that you don't see, just contact Duane.  And, did I mention he also has a great sense of humor?

 

 I think we could all use more family photos that are out of this world!

 

Custom Portraits

 

A special THANKS to Duane for supporting our family!  And I can't leave without reminding you our we are still collecting for our iPad2 raffle - $20 per chance or $50 for 3 chances.

iPad Raffle

KRISTA WHITE WAS THE WINNER OF OUR IPAD2 RAFFLE!

We are raffling an Apple iPad2 16GB with Wi-FI!  So how do you enter?  Simply donate $20 per chance to our Adoption Fund by clicking the "Donate" button on the right.  Or get (3) chances for every $50.  (This is safe and secure and our button was downloaded directly from PayPal.)  If you have trouble with our link, please leave me a "comment" below.  Or if you would like to donate with cash, please contact me at acrowe949@hotmail.com.

Fine Print: Drawing will be held April 8th.  However, we hold the right to extend the raffle if we have not earned a minimum of $425 to cover the cost of the iPad.  This drawing is open to anyone in the continental U.S.  If the winner does not live in our immediate area, shipping will be provided for free.   

Right now there is only one thing standing between us and a submitted adoption application - about $500.  Once our application is accepted, we have to pay $3083.33 to start the home study process (Adoption Fee Sheet here).  Please help us raise $500 so we can get the process started!  Share this blog with your Facebook friends so they can enter too!

Persecution

I realize that choosing to adopt from Ethiopia can be controversial to some.  I mean, we live in Kentucky, and racism still exists here.  I also know that racism is not an inherent behavior.  It's something that is taught and something that is learned.  We aren't born with it.  MY children know no difference in race.  When Abby asks me why someone is a certain way, whether it's the color of their skin, or seeing a child in a wheelchair, I tell her God made everyone different. 

I know that we are making the right choice for our family.  In fact our WHOLE family will be better for it.  All of our family and friends will learn compassion, and see the grace of God in a beautiful little Ethiopian face.  As long as there are parents like us - willing to go, willing to fight, willing to LOVE more than skin deep - no child should be hungry, no child should be lonely, no child should have to face the world without knowing LOVE.

By choosing to follow God in his call for us to adopt, we have put our family in the path of persecution.  But, God didn't promise us an easy ride, happiness, and peace.  He promised us ETERNITY when we follow Him. 

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

The Rescued

I have been overwhelmed lately with all the love, and support we have received.  One thing we keep hearing is how we are doing such a "great thing".  Hmmm.....I suppose we are but I haven't really looked at it as though I am doing something great or anything extraordinary. 

Then I came across this quote at the My Crazy Adoption blog.  And really this says it all!

“It’s important to realize, then, that we adopt not because we are rescuers. No, we adopt because we are the rescued. And in this way, the Gospel uniquely portrays, compels, and ultimately sustains adoption.”

The Big Reveal

We finally decided on Ethiopia!  And we are soooo excited!

Why Ethiopia?

This has been a difficult decision for us, with so many countries and so many children in need.  We were able to narrow things down by practicality.  Ethiopia had been tugging at our heart because of the extreme poverty.  So I found a few interesting facts to share with you about Ethiopia:

• 1 in 10 babies die during childbirth or infancy
• 1 in 6 children die before the age of 5 due to malnutrition, infection, or disease
• 42% of children under 5 are underweight
• Over 2 million children are orphaned in Ethiopia
• Ethiopian adoption costs $33,648

So what's the next step? 

Adoption application.  We have to get together some referrals and submit our application.  Once our application is accepted we'll start the home study process. 

In my spare time I have been reading other Ethiopian Adoption Blogs.  And here are a few I loved!

Pure and Lasting - this one will completely change the way you look at adoption!
Our Ethiopian Daughter
Precious Adornment
Expanding Our Hearts & Minds - Bardstown Family
Our Adoption Journey - Bardstown Family

Ethiopia Adoption Resources:
West Sands Adoption
Lifeline Children's Services

Little League

Earlier this week I posted about Fundraising.  I've spent a fair amount of time thinking about fundraising, because, well, $33,000 is a lot of money.  That's more than the cost of our car.  And more than the cost of our garage.  And a bit overwhelming if you really think about it.  So we have been praying....about adoption, and for God to provide for us.  After all, he wouldn't call us to adopt and not provide a way.

God answered.

The very same day that I posted about fundraising, I got a message from Fran at Maggie's Hope about a HUGE fundraising opportunity for families that are adopting in our church.  That very day she was notified that Maggie's Hope will be running the Bardstown Little League concession stand.  It's amazing how God works isn't it?  I'm worried about fundraising, and HE is giving me opportunities.  If that's not confirmation that we are following HIS plan for our family, I don't know what is!!!  Needless to say I'm excited!

Now this is going to involve a lot of work.  All of the families involved are going to split the responsibilities in running this concession stand.  Now I have to admit, I've never ran a concession stand before, but I'm pretty psyched to sell some snow cones and hot dogs right now!

But we need some help!  We don't have the schedule together yet.  But it looks like I'll have to help run this concession stand at least one night a week from 4:00-9:30, and some weekends too.  That's pretty late for us.  I mean, Abby is in preschool, and needs to be in bed WAY before 9:30.  And Shawn, well, he doesn't even get off from work until 5:00 so it may be difficult for him to help. 

So here's the plan (at least for now) I am going to work the concession stand, and Shawn is going to stay home with the kids - feed them dinner, and try to get them to bed at a decent time.  But clearly, I can't run this concession stand alone.  I'm only one person and while I'm pumped about selling snow cones and hot dogs, I'm sure I'll need some help!  SO my amazing family and friends, please let me know if you would be willing to help me run this concession stand.  You don't have to help every week, just once would be great!  If you're interested in helping I'll send you my schedule when it's available!

Also wanted to note the wonderful Adoption Fund tracker I've added to the right.  After the bath remodel, and the orders I have for the next couple of weeks, we will have raised $615 already!  And we just announced our plans to adopt a week ago!  Pretty amazing huh?

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  - John 1:27