Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Is it really worth it?


Justice is worth it.
Would trafficking be okay for someone in your family? For your child?
Would you want to spend your life in bonded labor?
Is it okay for your child to miss meals?
Is it okay for your child to not get proper medical care?
What if someone in your family was dying because they didn't have access to clean water?

It's not ok for me either. 
That's why it is worth it. 






Sunday, February 24, 2013

In an attempt to answers some questions on #2

First off we'd like to say thank you to all the responses we've been given to our news of adding another little one to our family, we genuinely feel loved and supported by all of our family friends (both cyber and "real life" :) )

I'll do my best to attempt to answer some of the questions we've gotten so far, because there's been quite a few, and we know you're all so excited for us! We aren't able to share much about our second adoption online, but we'd love to tell you in person! But here's a few of the big questions and answers:

Where is he from?! We can't share that right now, I'll leave you with West Africa

Are your boys siblings? Not yet :) They are from different countries, but will be brothers :)

How far apart will your boys be: Well, our newest venture, we'll call him "little man" he's around 2, we're guessing he'll be close to 3 when we bring him home, our Ethiopian son will be anywhere between 0-18 months when we're matched with him. So they'll be maybe a year and a half apart we're thinking.

Are you sill adopting from Ethiopia? Yes! We are! Our Ethiopian adoption is fully paid for (well at least we have all the funds in order for it to be paid for :) ) This is how our two adoptions will work. Once little man gets home we will spend all our time focusing on bonding and attachment with him, teaching him about his new family, 6 months after he's home we'll assess how's he's doing, and if he's attaching and bonding well, we'll let America World (our agency for Ethiopia) know that we're ready to be matched.  We don't loose our "spot" in line, just move up and aren't able to receive a referral (match) until little man has been home 6 months, so with the way things are looking in Ethiopia we'll have great timing between the 2 adoptions.

Do you have to come up with all that money again?! Yes :) We do, not as much as before, but we do.  We watched God provide in amazing ways for our Ethiopian adoption and don't doubt He will show up big again. Luckily, we are able to use some of our same paperwork for our second adoption so that will save some money for sure. The amazing thing is, when Justin and I were praying about this second adoption, the biggest part was how we were going to pay for it. Is no secret that we don't make that much money. We've always had our needs met and have never went without anything we've needed. 2 days in a row we were both approached about some part time jobs.  Tutoring for me, and refereeing sporting games for Justin, they're not long term jobs, but they are an amazing way to bring in some extra money that will go straight towards our adoption. Definitely confirmation. We had already made some pretty big cuts to live more simply, and that helped in saving some extra money that will help us out in the beginning of all the paperwork fun.

When we he be here?! This one is a favorite, and I wish I had an exact date to give you-but not yet :) The soonest we could pick him up would be the end of July, we're telling people "Fall" that way we have a few months and don't get our hopes up for a specific date :) Right now we're working on paperwork like ca-razy people, the sooner that gets done the sooner we can send it over :)

How can we help? Pray, pray for our little man, he's had a lot happen in his little life, he is being cared for right now and for this we are very thankful-he's getting 3 meals a day and has a place to sleep and play-this is a big deal. Pray as we begin this process again, it's exhausting but so so worth it, and it's easier this time around with a cue picture staring at us while we pushing paperwork for sure. Pray for our time, we're entering an incredibly busy season with Justin's work and from the end of March on, we're pretty much on crazy mode. Pray for us as we prepare to parent this sweet boy. We feel so blessed that God choose us for him and so thankful we were sought out for him.

Thanks for playing a part in our story, we can't wait to watch it unfold more. 

"My friends, adoption is redemption. It's costly, exhausting, expensive and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him."
-Derek Loux



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

STUCK

I'm so excited to share with you an opportunity I have to volunteer with Both Ends Burning on the upcoming STUCK tour. What is STUCK? Well...


"STUCK steps into the complex human experience of adoption, exploring the challenges faced by birth parents, prospective adoptive parents – and children.

The film follows Tihun from Ethiopia, Nate from Vietnam, and Erickson and Therline from Haiti on their individual voyages from orphanages in their native countries to their homes with families in the United States. Filmmaker Thaddaeus Scheel tracks the chapters in the lives of these four children, and the three couples seeking to be their parents, revealing along the way the intense hope and disappointment they experience on the odyssey to unite as families. Some stories are heartwarming, showing incredible examples of kids who blossom after joining their families, while others offer insight into the emotional and physical impact institutional life can have on these kids.
Through the lens of personal, real-life stories the film asks how the global community can take care of these children, safeguarding them from the very real dangers of child trafficking and corruption while also answering their need to move from institutions into loving homes and a normal life.

STUCK is a testament to the power of human love and the inexplicable connection between parent and child – even when separated by thousands of miles and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is a love story of a different kind that celebrates the indefatigable human spirit, the loyalty and the devotion that bonds these parents and kids together as families."


"The right to a family is a basic human right"

STUCK will be coming to Sacramento Monday April 1st. 

If you would like more information on attending this event please let me know, you don't have to be adopting or even have a heart for adoption, just a heart to see children without families given them and a desire to fight injustice. 

Grab a Kleenex and watch the trailer...

Monday, February 11, 2013

We're at it again...take 2!

Sometimes when you say "yes" you never know what God has in store.  Let me tell you, if you would've told me a year ago where we'd be today, I would laugh in your face.  Funny how our plans change but when they do, they feel right.

So there's no really creative way to tell you the newest turn in our crazy adoption journey, I put off writing because I really didn't know how to explain it and still will probably leave a lot of you guessing..but here it goes....



We. are. adoption. AGAIN!
(pardon the awkward picture, I don't know why I never changed my facial expression, those totally weird, take you back to jr.high photo booth things are so weird)

Yep, you read that right.  I'll do my best to share with you what I can. There is a little boy in West Africa who needs a family, he is absolutely precious. We were chosen to be his family!

We are still adopting from Ethiopia

Yep, that's right. 2 adoptions at the same time from two totally different countries

A little crazy

But that's okay, we're good with crazy ;)

We can't wait to see what God continues to write in this crazy story. 

We can't wait to watch children who were once orphans become sons
to become brothers

Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem totally crazy to the world, but totally right with Him.

We covet your prayers

We are SO excited!

Here we go again, take 2!






Saturday, February 9, 2013

Stepping Out of the Boat

You know when you have those situations in life where you know it could only be from God? Like weeks or months when you look back and you're like "how did that happen?!" That's been the last few weeks for Justin and I.  Conversations, situations, you name it-it's been a wild wild few weeks; where we can only look at each other and say, "I can't believe all this..."

I was talking with one of my good friends, Aleah (go check out her blog!) the other day about all this craziness, and telling her I have no idea what God's doing.  Then we started talking about Abraham and Issac, and she said this situation we're in sounded so similar to her bible study topic and shared her notes with me:

"Abraham trusted God fully, He knew God's character, and he knew that His promises do not change." 

"It is wrong to imagine that God will never change the direction in which He leads you, when God requires a new step, will you follow Him?"

When she shared that I thought yes that's exactly it! When you say yes to God, you have no idea where that yes might take you.  But I can tell you from experience it's a crazy awesome ride...scary at times. Actually it can be super scary to the point where you're like "what are we doing?!" But it's a calm kind of crazy...

We've stepped out of the boat.
And aren't really ready for the steps ahead, but He knows. 

God's got us on a CA-razy journey, and this story He's weaving together? 

Oh man, it's a wild one.

stay tuned....

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Last call for samples!





Looped Earrings (India)
Layered loops of brass form a fun, teardrop shaped earring. Brass will oxidize over time. Approximately 2″ long. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.
Original price : $26SALE : $14.00
Patchwork Clutch (India)
This hard shell clutch is covered in assorted colorful fabrics with a floral design. It features a Kantha style stitching detail across the clutch, and has a zipper closure and inside zipper pocket. Measures 10"x 5". Fine stitching is the specialty of these artisans, many who are tailors by profession. The products are made from locally sourced cotton fabrics, many times created by our other artisan groups (e.g. wood block printed fabrics). Many of the artisans start working when they are young and full of energy. The organization aims to guide them and help them achieve a better future. They are given training on stitching, the specific art that allows them to work with the group for a long time. 

(clutch color avaliable is red, far left)

Original price $36.00

On sale $18.00

Exploration Bracelet (Uganda)
stand alone bracelet or be matchy with the Exploration Necklace. The greens and wooden beads are the perfect accent to fall's colors.

Handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda.

8 1/2" W with stretch and just over 2" L. Composed of paperbeads and wooden beads. Handle with care.

Original Price $30.00

On sale for $12.00





Zig Zag Gourd Bracelet

Threaded strands of brass create a statement cuff that's a bit royalty and a bit modern. 2" wide, adjustable. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged. 

Original Price: $24.00

On Sale: $12.00


Nod to Neon Scarf
We can't resist a nod to the neon trend with this bold striped scarf matched with our favorite grey. It is handwoven in Guatemala by a group of women who proudly keeps the traditional artistry of the Mayan culture alive. 

Original Price $42.00

On sale for $20.00






Taj Cuff (India)
                    Threaded strands of brass create a statement cuff that's a bit royalty and a bit modern. 2" wide, adjustable. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged. 


Original Price $28.00

On sale for $14.00






Tublar Hoop Earrings

A handcrafted tube of silver metal is strung from upcycled metals. This piece is handmade in Ethiopia using recycled nickel, copper, and bronze melted down from previous war weapons. Most of the artisans who created the pieces are HIV positive and receive healthcare and literacy training in addition to job training.

Original Price $36.00

On sale for $18.00




Watercolor Belt

This elaborate beadwork belt is awash with a palette that suits solids and patterns alike.

This belt is handmade by expert beaders in the Lago de Atitlan region. The women work at home and go to a central house to get the beads that they need for the job. They are paid a fair wage for their work.

24"-32" stretch waist. Composed of glass beads. Handle with care.

Never worn
Originally $ 42.00

On sale for $20.00






Monday, February 4, 2013

May God Bless You

With...

Discomfort
Anger
Tears
Foolishness


A friend of mine shared this on Facebook today, I couldn't help but tear up.  When you pray for God to bless you with these things, He'll blow your mind and rock your world.