Youth for Christ Banquet

Our area YFC fundraiser banquet was last night and it was AMAZING!!  First of all YFC is such an awesome organization dedicated to loving on our area middle and high schoolers and showing them Jesus.  We had the privilege of having Natalie Grant sing for us and the testimony of Colleen and Newell Cerek the parents of Whitney who was the survivor of the horrific accident here in our area and is part of the story Mistaken Identity.   If you haven't read this I encourage you to (just have kleenex).  The faith of these families is inspiring and their love for youth is the reason why they came to speak to us.  They know that many youth and adults struggle with a mistaken identity.
I pray blessings and continued healing on all families involved and for the provision and expansion of YFC.

Project Pad: Because not everyone has what they need. It's a Girl Thing!

Last night D and her Bible study buddies had the opportunity to learn a new skill and serve fellow young women in Africa, who don't have access to our conveniences, at the same time.  Thanks to Andrea (click on name) and the involvement she has with WIPHAN (click), I was led to provide this opportunity for these girls.
Since I have NO sewing skills myself though, I knew God would have to make it happen.  And He did.  While watching our High School football game one Friday night I was sharing with some friends my desire to see this happen despite my lack of skill and equipment.  My friend said, "You need to talk with Lisa.  She owns Edward's Sewing.  Well, she no more than finished saying her name and Lisa and her family walk right by us to sit down.  How awesome is that!!
I shared with Lisa, after introducing myself, my desire and from there on out she enabled this to succeed by opening up her store to us, gathering other helpers, and getting donations of supplies.  I mean REALLY, all we need to do sometimes is be obedient in taking the FIRST step then God does the rest.  This was definitely one of those times.
So, THANK YOU Edward's Sewing, Lisa and crew, for letting this boisterous Bible study bunch  learn and serve last night.  And Thank you Andrea for inspiring us to do this.  I warn you that our donations are the work of first timers, but with that in mind, I am very proud of their accomplishment!!

Oh, and tomorrow is Orphan Sunday (see my shirt above).  A shout out on behalf of the world's 147 million orphans.  So many ways to help!  What will you do??

Family Fun

One of our favorite things to do as a family is have an occasional family slumber party in a hotel room.  Nothing like being cozy!  This time we were in Dayton and while daddy had to do this (study).  We did this:

jammed and worshiped at the Make a Difference concert that supported World Vision and featured Toby, Third Day, M.W. Smith and Max Lucado...what an awesome lineup!!  This is my favorite pic as it was totally unstaged.  They didn't even know I took it:

A lady tapped me on the back and asked,"Are those your kids?"  "Yes" I replied.  She said, "You are so lucky!  My kids would never do that."  I do feel blessed that our kids love each other and get along most of the time, and I am grateful to have had this experience with them.

Table of Nations

My posts have a tendency to be feast or famine.  So here goes my second one for the day:
A while ago my sweet friend Amy( Treasures in Jars of Clay) was over and I mentioned my fascination with race.  What I really meant is fascination with physical characteristic differences since I do believe that we are all descendants of Adam then Noah.  She shared a must listen sermon with me by Voddie Baucham.  I wrote it down on my to do list, but just got to it today in part by her recent encouragement on her "Challenged" post.  So, while I was busy stuffing fall party craft bags, I listened to this awesome sermon that really is a MUST LISTEN.  I challenge you to click here Table of Nations and listen.  (By the way, Table of Nations; what's that about?....one race)

Meeting Gabe

This past Saturday, Doria and I headed up to Chicago to meet Gebre (Gabe), the man who along with his wife started the orphanage where our children are.  It was great to actually meet him and hear of all God is doing for the people of Mekelle through him. You can actually see pictures of the orphanage and learn more about his work by going to www.hope4ethiopia.org.

Thanks Sasha for sharing your home.  It was a joy to meet you.  What a neat family you have!!!

Waiting

Waiting !!!  This is where we are right now in our adoption process.  We are waiting to hear of our court date which will determine our first travel dates.  The courts are reopen now and I was hopeful that we would have already heard by now.  Our social worker told me it would take awhile, so be patient.  I'm trying, but it's hard.  I just want to know when.  I can't wait to meet them, hold them and get to know them.  God, pour down your Spirit upon them.  Give them strength, peace and hope.

Surprise Gift from GG

My grandma, Doria's great grandma (GG), surprised us with these beautiful handmade scarves two days ago.  The colors are my favorite!!  Thanks GG!!!  You inspire me!   I hope to be able to bless my grandkids with handmade goodies someday when I am about 90.  I better get learning!  And yes, my girl has me matched in height.  My oldest has me beat!  Where does the time go? 

Night With the Chapmans

 We enjoyed a great evening with dear friends Matt and Courtney listening to and being inspired by the Chapman family.  Steven Curtis Chapman was the first Christian concert I ever saw and I have loved his music ever since.  They have an amazing adoption story that played no small role in encouraging us to pursue the same.  You can find out more about this awesome family at www.showhope.org  

Donaldson Doings

Cross Country

Colts

God Touches Another Heart

One Less by Matthew West (The Story Behind The Song) from emicmg on Vimeo.


Will be praying for you Matthew West Family...God's a Stirrin'

Rainy Season Coming to an End

The Ethiopian courts are scheduled to re-open September 27th.  Hopefully we will be among the first to receive our first travel date.  Stay tuned.

Sweet 16

Hers

His

Doesn't this say it all?
The differences that can just drive each other crazy!
Sing with me..."Opposites attract..and you know"
I am so thankful that although we do have our differences, on the things that really matter, we are so together!!


Thank you honey for delighting in God's word, His world and the life He has blessed us with.  You are a fabulous husband and father, and I couldn't be more blessed than to have spent the last 16 years as your wife.  Praying we have many , many more!
Happy Anniversary!!!

ADOPTED

On Sunday, August 22 we had the great blessing of witnessing our children's baptism.
Although they each had at different times come to the knowledge of their individual need for Jesus as savior,  the timing worked out that they were all ready to make the public profession of their faith together.  Our church had a special baptism service with great music and the personal touch of reading each participants written testimony as they were being baptized.
So "Adopted"...why the title?  I love the comment by J.I. Packer in Knowing God: "Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption."  We as christians are adopted into the family of God by grace through our faith in Jesus.  None of us are natural-born children of God.  Ephesians 1:3-8.  Romans 8:23 also speaks of the doctrine of adoption.  Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore shares the beautiful story of adoption: intertwining doctrinal adoption with what we may call "real" adoption.  How cool that God had a plan for adoption all along...Moses, Jesus, us, and the fatherless/orphan.

 D, D and D,
You are so precious
to us!  Daddy and I have prayed for you to make this decision since you were in my womb.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19

We Are Paper Pregnant...With Siblings!!!!

Yup, next summer, this pic will have two more precious kids in it...OUR kids, and my are they beautiful!   I can't wait to show their pictures and tell you more about them.  Come on court date(that's when I officially "deliver")and we hope it will be in Oct. or Nov.  We have been praying for these two specifically since April and are THRILLED that we get to be their family.

It is through this wonderful agency that God has connected us with our "soon to be delivered" son and daughter.
We were blessed to be able to meet the Ethiopian team in person on our way through St. Louis several weeks ago.  

Officially Waiting!!!

 We received news yesterday that our dossier cleared D.C. and we are now officially a waiting family!!!  That means we are able to be given a referral now.  There are many waiting families ahead of us, but not many requesting siblings.  I have no idea how long the wait will be, but our prayer continues to be that God would orchestrate all details and that His perfect will, will be done and that His peace would guide us and cover us.   Whoever they are God, protect them and prepare them for us and us for them.