New ShowHope Video

One Final Giveaway - The BIG One

We are approximately 6-8 weeks from travel to meet and adopt our two beautiful children.  Of course I am praying it is closer to the 6 week mark. 

 

Our total final fees will need to be wired in country a week before we travel.  We were given an estimate of $25,000, plus airfare costs.

 

If you don't know our story and how God moved our hearts towards adoption you can read it HERE.

EVERY donation of ANY amount and EVERY time you share our giveaway your name will be entered into the giveaway.

 

 

 

 

 

How to donate:

We still need $1,000 in our matching grant fund through Lifesong for Orphans.  Directions are on the right sidebar.  When making a donation please indicate "Preference Maas #2852".  When we reach our goal we will have a $12,000 grant!!!


We need our Reece's Rainbow Family Account to read $8,000.  Donations can be made using the link on the left sidebar. 

You can also donate through our FIG Account with Project Hopeful.  Just click on the donate button below.

 

 

 

 

Giveaway Prizes:

I am real excited about these prizes.  Honestly, I think they are the best I have seen in any giveaway!

PRIZE 1

 

 We will forever be grateful to you for your generosity

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRIZE 2

 

These children will know the love of a family.

 

 

 

PRIZE 3

 

These children will know the love of a child with Down Syndrome

 

GRAND PRIZE

Our Heavenly Father will say "Well done, good and faithful servant"

 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

 

 

 

 

Update on Isaac and Lily

We received pictures of Isaac recently.  These were taken back in the spring.

Our most recent information about him says he is 34 inches tall and 24 pounds.  He is saying Mama and Baba.  They say he is a very active child.  It also mentions that he is afraid of stuffed animals :(

Isaac is living in a foster home in Hangzhou Ch*na.  Hangzhou is named "The Most Beautiful Place on Earth".   We will be in Hangzhou for one week when we go to adopt Isaac.  I can't wait to spend time in this beautiful city.

We also received new pictures of Lily.  These pictures were actually taken this week!

We don't have any recent information on Lily.  We are hoping to have updated measurements before we travel.  Last November she was 36 inches tall and weighed 28 pounds.  She was so tiny for a 5 year old.  I wonder how much she has grown this year. 

Lily is in a foster home in Maoming Ch*na.  We will be saying in Guangzhou but we will travel to Maoming for a one day visit.  I have read they have beautiful beaches in Maoming where many people vacation. 

Update on our Summer

I have really had no desire to blog recently.  I guess I partially felt like everyone was tired of listening and partially I was tired of talking.  Decided to take some time today and update how we are doing. 

1.  Our house is coming along.  The rough construction is pretty much done.  They will have the inspection this week I think.  We are hoping to be in our house the first couple of weeks in October. 

2.  We have kinda had a boring summer.  We are staying with family while our house is being built.  There is not much to do around here so we have spent a lot of time sitting around the house.  The kids and I are going crazy.  We miss our friends. 

3.  We started school this week.  We are brushing up on the basics and doing a lot of review until we get into our house.  I did not want to start our curriculum before we got into our house.  Just seems like a lot of work.  Of course we will probably have to work into the summer but I think it will be worth it.  The kids have really surprised me so far.  I expected them to really struggle but they are actually doing really well.  The younger ones especially have matured this summer.  Their handwriting has improved greatly and they remember all the math from last year. 

4.  We are on the final stretch of our adoption.  We received our LOA's earlier this month.  We are currently waiting on immigration approval for the kids then we wait for our Travel Approval.  Once we receive travel approval we could possibly leave 2 weeks later.  I am hoping for TA in about 6 weeks.  Praying we can travel the second week of October. 

That is all for now.  If I get the chance I will set down tonight and write a little bit more about our babies waiting in Ch*na. 

We have LOA's!!!!!!!!!

We have officially been approved by China to adopt Lily and Isaac.  The rest of the process has been moving pretty quickly.  We expect to have our Travel Approval in the next 7-8 weeks. That means we could be meeting our new blessings in about 9-10 weeks!!!

We also received a new picture of Isaac.  He is so darn cute.  We can't wait to meet them both!

Selfish Confession

I am going to be real honest here.  Ever have those days when you just wished the world revolved around you?  That you could have whatever you wanted?  Well, I am having one of those WEEKS!!!!  I hate to admit my selfishness.  It feels gross and ugly.   I really hate this part of me.  I hate the feeling of not being content.  I REALLY WANT some new stuff for our adoption trip.  Do I NEED new stuff.  NO!!!!!!!!!!

I want new "matching" bags for our trip to China.     

Love this bag in "Lotsa Dots" and add a cargo bag purse, and Retro Metro tote for a diaper bag.

How cute would that be?







I want a new camera that is small but takes great pictures.

I want an iphone or ipad.  It would be so convenient for traveling.

Don't even get me started on stuff for Isaac and Lily.   Hairbows, hats, cute new clothes,  fun toys, and I could go on and on.


Please Lord help me to overcome these selfish desires with YOUR contentment.  I want to be grateful for what I have and not want for more than I need. 

Church Adoption Funds Through Lifesong

"The blessings go way beyond any financial support because the family is just knowing that the church cares."

--Dave Blaske, His Kids-Our Homes Adoption Fund Director

Listen in as His Kids-Our Homes Adoption Fund share about their partnership with Lifesong for Orphans...

It has been exciting for us as a ministry to have a front-row view in what God is doing through our 210 active and intentional Church Fund Partners.  In the past six months alone, we have seen the generosity of these churches provide over $627,650 to 193 adoptive families in the form of grants and loans.

The refreshing joy of serving families, blessing orphans, and ultimately glorifying God is at the core of each church fund that we partner with.  We celebrate the work that God is doing through each of them as He places the lonely into families (Psalm 68:6). 

For more stories about how a church fund can bless adoptive families, we invite you to watch the Quine & Stewart family adoption videos.

To learn more about Lifesong Church Funds, please visit our website or contact Rich Metcalfe (309.747.4528, rich@lifesongfororphans.org)

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." Hebrews 10:24