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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Worn

     I know that many of you probably just read this blog to pass the time of your online binge for the day, because you can't sleep at night, because you're nosy :), to look at what you assume is a perfect little life & because yours isn't you're just glad someone's is...or perhaps you just stumbled upon this blog & have no idea why you care about what this random stranger is writing. In the midst of the updates & posts are a lot of pauses in dates. Those pauses could mean that the Lord is working on my heart, that I'm just pissed  because I don't have any updates for you, for us, & for our son, or sometimes I'm just not supposed to talk/write though it's hard for me to do. Those pauses don't show a lot of the aggravation, heartache, & toll on someone during the adoption process & during life in general. SO let's get this straight...I won't just write about the "happy" if you don't just read about the "happy."

     A lot of times I write for myself & I get more out of it than anyone reading ever will. And though that is almost always the case, there are a lot of times that I feel led to write something or share something because someone needs to hear it, to know they aren't alone, or to be encouraged. This.is.one.of.those.times.
Don't stop reading this now young lady/young man. Don't you go assuming this is some "religious" message or some serious crap that you don't have time for or that it couldn't possibly be speaking to you. Why did you go click on this blog post today? What led you here? How can you know without knowing that it isn't you that this is for? I know you truly don't want to be called out or even to be embraced by the only thing that can give you peace or cause your heart to change. Some of you think it's all nonsense & garbage. You don't have a reason to want to believe. You've been let down by everyone your whole life, or maybe just recently. You still matter. Don't resist it y'all. What do you have to lose, really? So stop whining & continue reading... ;)

     Anyways...a song was posted on my Facebook not once, not twice, but three times today. When I first saw it my initial thought was, "oh yeah that's a great song." The second time it was more like, "that is a good song but odd that I so just saw this a few ago & those people don't know each other." The third time I just hit play.  And so the "hitting the knees" began. Praying this speaks to you today. There's the song & then the story behind it (it's short so don't skip it).
We all have "pain between the pictures." (Or pain between the posts.)-Tenth Avenue North
"It's not your circumstances that need to change, it's you."-Tenth Avenue North
Lyrics:

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin
Yeah, I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn

You have three choices below...it's your choice... =)

*If you have about 10 minutes to hear his story, humor, & the song*

 
*If you have time for the song & 4 extra minutes.

*If you just have time for the song*


        Just know that adoption is hard. Waiting is hard. Kids in general are hard, right? Life is hard. It doesn't mean anything is wrong with me to pity me. It means I'm human. And I choose to share that with you. So please don't ever read this blog or see me and assume things are perfect b/c the Lord is giving us the opportunity (as He is some of you ;)) to give orphans a family. As a matter of fact, it's the hardest, most humbling thing I've ever done. Life that sometimes sucks makes us relatable to someone else. Your story, my story...well they're our stories because somewhere along the line it'll make us relatable to someone whose paths we cross & because during those times we grow.  He's got ya friend, always has...just hold fast!

    So beyond thankful that I know for a fact that in the end redemption does win. My struggles are nothing in comparison to those that happened on a cross 2000 years ago. I am worn, you may be worn, but redemption wins y'all!
 



 
~If you liked that song & want more...here's a bonus

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Brief Update

  • Pray that we exit our current step with the adoption process SOON!!
  • I promise I am working on some tshirt ideas! It's been delayed for a few reasons but I haven't forgotten for those of you who are interested.
  • We originally were selling the blue/gray bracelets & keychains. We decided to go a different route and hand those out instead. The aqua blue bracelets will be given away (request one if you'd like) or sent with some tshirt orders. The gray key chains can be bought at cost which is $3.
  • The reason we changed our minds about those is because we decided to work with The Apparent Project. We can sell their bracelets and it would support not only our adoption, but a Haitian artist. We felt that supporting this ministry would help two causes at once. Each bracelet has a name & picture attached to it which would show you who you supported by purchasing the bracelet. Their statement is...
    "We are a market place designed to empower & market Haitian artisans in their work. We are officially endorsed by the Apparent Project, and are also working with other artisans in Haiti to make a difference in the lives of working families."-Market Haiti (where you can purchase Haitian goods)
  • The bracelets are made from cereal boxes, scrapbook paper, magazines & flyers, and connected with seed beads. *I will let you know soon possible ways to purchase these bracelets. I am looking into places to set up & sell them.Update:They are now available, contact me for details or to purchase!
    
  • This blog will be going private within the next few days. It will only stay private until we are very close to bringing out kiddo home. In order to post pics, and possibly more detailed updates, I am making it private in order to protect any information from here on out. Please email me at hebrews11.8@aol.com or contact me on Facebook if you want to view this blog. There is a Facebook page that will soon go private also & a place you can find updates as well. Anyone who has contacted me thus far is good to go. If you haven't, please do so soon. Thanks for your understanding! UPDATE: Blog privacy is on hold...it is still a public site! If you read this blog & aren't my "friend" on Facebook but would like details of adoption updates, please request via email (hebrews11.8@aol.com). Specific updates on our process and/or pics will NOT be posted on here until further notice. Thanks y'all!!
  • And FINALLY, we are probably 25-50ish pieces away from completing the puzzle. Not very many left! If you have mentioned you'd like some, please contact me now!! Pics to be posted THIS week so finish that puzzle ASAP!! ;) Update: Due to new regs with our adoption country, new pics will NOT be posted via blog until further notice. If you aren't a "friend" on Facebook, but contributed in any way to the Puzzle Fundraiser, please email me at hebrews11.8@aol.com!! Thanks!
This kid who likes to wear his pants on his head says to HURRY so he can show you his face! =)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Anne's search for her parents

Please help my Anne find her birthparents! She was born in Florida (USA) in 1983.Please share with those you know, especially in the southern part of the U.S.!! Ready...GO...like right NOW!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Christ Is Risen

I don't have a lot of words for how awesome Easter is, especially if you are a follower of Christ. I am, however, quite shocked at how callused even we as believers have became of this holiday. It should be the biggest day of the year, the biggest party, the biggest celebration, the longest, loudest worship service, full of emotion.  We should sing the loudest, preach the longest, "amen" the most, be the most passionate, about this day. This day, He is RISEN. Risen. Did you catch that? As in, he isn't in the tomb! The grave could.not.hold.him. Is that something you hear often? I don't think so. We can only beat death because of Him. We don't have to fear death because of Him. We have hope, only because of Him. He didn't just die for our sins...He arose to give us hope...to continue living in us. We are the risen church. Wake up y'all! Allow Him to give you new breath. It's not just a religion. I'm not just "spiritual." I have a relationship with my Lord. He is risen. Find new life in Him, He's waiting for you!
 
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bow to none but heavens will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold you down
In strength you reign
Forever let your church proclaim
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
 
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Take a moment to listen to the song below. The 2nd video is one of the most amazing versions of the song, or any song. If you have a few extra minutes enjoy the 2nd video's bonus.
Fab-u-lous!!