National Adoption Month, Day 4

This says it all.  

Thanks to my friend Tanya for passing it along to me.
It can be purchased here.

And if you want more along these lines, read this book:

 

National Adoption Month, Day 3

I'm starting to realize that not everyone is obsessed with passionate about adoption like me.  To some people, it's something they "could never do", something they think is limited to pets, thought only rich people could do, or don't think about at all.    

Source: Uploaded by user via Jenny on Pinterest

I'm so thankful for all the different ways that adoption has become part of my life:

• I'm thankful for the neighbors up the street who adopted a kid when I was in elementary school then immediately became pregnant so raised two kids almost like twins. 
• I'm thankful for the F______ family who I met while I was in high school and had the opportunity to babysit for in those days. 
• I'm thankful for the professor at Anderson who was single but had two adopted daughters (can't remember which country).  
• I'm thankful for having full-out lectures about adoption during my time at Focus on the Family. 
• I'm thankful for having friends who are adopted.
• I'm thankful for friends who have adopted or are adopting. 

Whether my interactions have been very limited or up-close-and-personal, I'm thankful for each and every exposure I've had to adoption.  It has helped it become more normal to me.  Our new normal.

What about you?  What are your experiences with adoption?  Does it seem very foreign to you?  Something God is calling you to be part of?  Something you want to know more about? 

     

Fundraising Dinner & Silent Auction

Thursday, November 29th 6:00pm

at Holiday Inn, 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC

$15 per ticket*

includes full BBQ Dinner 

catered by Sticky Fingers, 

live Music,

Adoption Stories,

and a Silent Auction

 Purchase your tickets here by 11/26. 

Get Your Tickets Here!

 * Free ticket if you donate an item for the Silent Auction.

National Adoption Month, Day 1

Have you heard that November is National Adoption Month? 
My Facebook feed is FULL of reminders, and for that, I'm thankful.  

I'm going to try to do something adoption-related on this blog each day of November.  Shouldn't be too hard since most of my life is consumed with adoption these days anyway. :)

To start, I'll share with you that our story was shared with a very special community--the Alumni of Focus on the Family's semester long leadership program.  I am a proud Spring 2003 graduate of the program, then known as "Focus on the Family Institute", and many special friends were made that semester.  MANY special friends from that season have been part of our fundraising so far, and we are eternally grateful for that.  

You can read our story here.  (Highlights below)

Tricia's Story

Adopting has been something I've wanted to do ever since I attended the Institute in 2003. After knowing several families with adoption in their stories, it also always seemed like such a practical way to live out the Gospel. When we got married in 2007, adoption was something that Matthew and I knew we would do 'someday' when the Lord led us.
After a year of marriage, we were living in Thailand teaching at a Christian school for Thai children, and the idea of adoption strongly gripped my heart, but Matthew wanted to grow our family the 'old-fashioned way' first. After two more years without a child the 'old-fashioned way', and many prayers and discussions, we finally decided to pursue adoption.
In September 2010, our adoption journey began. It took over a year and a half to get home-study approval due to some health-related issues and our messy finances. Now, two years later, we are home-study approved and waiting for the child that God has chosen for our family.

How have you seen God at work through your adoption journey?

The adoption community is like no other. With all the variations—international, domestic, foster-care, family and special needs adoptions—adopting creates a wonderful opportunity to learn about how God is at work being a "Father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5).
There are countless blogs, organizations, orphanages and families who have felt God's call to "look after orphans" (James 1:27). It has been eye-opening. We have been humbled by God's financial provision but also heartbroken and overwhelmed by all of the need that exists. We know ours is just one story of the millions God is writing. It's so much bigger than us.

Also, you can learn about two other Alumni who are passionate about adoption, Thea Ramirez and Katie Overstreet.

Coming Up! Can You Help?

Save the Date!

Here's what we know so far:

• Thursday, November 29th, starting at 6:00
  
• Catered by Sticky Fingers
• at Holiday Inn, Mt. Pleasant (250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd)
• You'll get to hear others' Adoption Stories
  
• We'll have Christmas Music (hopefully LIVE)
• We'll have lots of items to auction off (with online pre-auction starting Black Friday) that will make perfect Christmas gifts for your friends and family
  
• We are excited!!! 
• We need help... can you help us make this happen?  
  

We need Auction Items!  Here are some ideas:

• Gift Cards for Any Amount (Target, Best Buy, Restaurants)
• iPad/iPod
• Kindle
• Hotel Room Stay
• Etsy Shop or other online gift certificates
• Amazon.com Gift Certificate 
• Craft Items
• Gift Baskets 
• CDs
• Anything that you would want to get or give for Christmas

Any businesses/persons who donate will receive ample recognition unless otherwise requested. 

Even if you're not local, you could make a special donation here and make a note that it's for us to buy an auction item (and what it's for if you have a preference).  We appreciate ANY help!