shopping spree

We found some items at Target to get for Gia.  Luckily, she was there to try them on.  :)   What do you think?

orphan run

Well, it's official.  

I've survived my first 5K event as a promoter.  I've run enough of them to know what runners expect, but being on the other end is very different.  When I first dreamed this fundraiser up, I had no clue what I was getting myself into.  It turned out to be a really great event overall.  

Things I loved...

• our volunteers
• Sometimes I think people say "I couldn't have done this without you" because they feel obligated to say it.  Not the case here.  I honest to goodness could NOT have pulled this off without all of my amazing volunteers.  If I tried to list you all, I'd forget some, so I'm just going to say THANK YOU!  

• my husband being home to help
• I have to specifically mention Kevin because he took the weekend off of work, which I know was not fun for him.  As difficult as that was for him to do, I am so thankful he did. When I think back to the day of the race, I'm overwhelmed picturing it without his help.  So to Kevin I say another big THANKS!

• the turnout
• We tried to schedule this race for November because that's Orphan Awareness Month.  No such luck.  Then we moved it to March.  Again, no luck.  So we tried for a third date, which worked!  The downside was that it was Memorial Day weekend.  You know, the weekend everyone goes out of town.  I had to laugh that God would give us the weekend that was vacation-packed as our big fundraiser.  What a sense of humor!  It was as if He was forcing us to a place of trusting Him with this event.  I know it sounds silly, but that's how I have to see it.  Regardless of all my worries, the date was perfect and the turnout was even better!  We were praying for 150-200 runners, and we got 150.  Yay!  

• the venue
• I chose Veteran's Park because it was a venue that was an "all in one" package.  In one fee we took care of parking EMTs, police, seating, a pre-measured course, etc.  The course is absolutely beautiful.  Definitely a favorite now!

Things I will change next year...

• committees
• To say that planning this event was overwhelming is an understatement.  Wow, so much work.  I have somewhat of a control-freak problem.  There's no way I can take this on alone again, so next year I'll be recruiting some other peeps to carry some of the load

• volunteers
• Thankfully we just barely had enough volunteers this year.  It was cutting close.  In fact, me and a couple other people had to do double duty on some of the stations.  Can you say panic attack?  'Cause that's how I was feeling for a minute.  I learned just how many volunteers I need to make a 5K happen.  

• advertising/marketing
• The goal is to make the Orphan Run 5K an annual event, with proceeds going to various companies/families that are involved in orphan care.  The number one question I fielded from people this year was "Where is the money going?" That was tough to answer because with this being a Christ City Church event, we aren't really responsible for where the funds go.  We just offered to organize an event that would help our city care for orphans. We are excited, though, to know that our Gia will be one of the benefactors of this year's race.  

• time of year
• It was stinkin' HOT.  There's no way around it.  I am so proud of the brave souls that raced in this crazy Bama summer heat.  Go you!  I'd like to see the next race be schedule for October 2013.  Probably the same weekend as Race for the Cure.  NOT!  I'll definitely have to plan around that monstrous 5K.  

• Fun Run
• Along with the 5K, we hosted a one mile "Fun Run" too.  We were thinking a lot people might like to show up last minute and participate in a little family friendly run.  I'm not sure it was as productive as we had hoped, so that will probably be tossed next year.  We'll see... 

Things I was pleasantly surprised with...

• the venue
• I touched on this earlier, but I just cannot get over how pretty this course is.  

• generosity of sponsors
• We were very blessed to have enough business sponsors to get this thing going.  I was even more surprised that some of our sponsors went over and beyond what was expected of them.   

Thanks so much for all of you that have prayed for this event and helped us with it.  We are thankful for your love and friendship.

Next up...  Pop Goes the 90s!   I'll get Kevin to guest post about that event this week sometime.  It's going to be awesome!

Sending Hugs

the power of a picture

My precious little niece is just over 2 years old.
Every time we see her she reaches for our phones and chants "Gia, Gia, Gia" because we have the wallpaper set as a picture of Gia.  It's so cute!  Kids really soak up more than we know.  Anyway, it never occurred to me that this "Gia spotting" would happen outside of her seeing our phones.  But it did!

Recently, my MIL had E (my niece) in Walmart, where an Asian woman was standing in front of them in the checkout line.  E begins to point at her and say "Gia, Gia."  E thought the woman was Gia...ha!  The woman, not knowing what was going on, cooed back at her.  My MIL then explained to the cashier that E was talking about her cousin halfway around the world whom she'd never met.

A-DOR-ABLE.

I'm anxious to see how the real life meeting will go down.


Sending Hugs

baby bedding

I am so excited to share this new fundraising opportunity with you.  Our sweet friend Karen has an amazing sewing talent.  A talent I wish I had!  She has been so kind as to offer a great deal for anyone wanting to support our adoption.  Her message is below...

Sending Hugs

Bedding for Babies!

On my first overseas mission trip my mom’s biggest fear was that I would smuggle a baby back with me as a souvenir. (I did have a mom ask me to take her baby back with her but I did not give in). However, I did come back from that trip with a heart for adoption. Currently my husband and I care for the orphan by supporting an orphanage in South East Asia that rescues children, provides them with a loving environment, shares the gospel and provides a Christian education. We don’t know what our journey will look like with adoption but we do know we desire to come alongside those on that journey.

I’m excited to come alongside Malerie and Kevin to help bring home baby Gia. 50% of the proceeds from orders made “for Gia” will go to help bring her home.

A 3-piece set; bedding, bed skirt and blanket is $250 and you can choose your own fabrics. Below are some samples. Please email me at karenisbell@gmail.com to place an order. 

things learned

Welcome to May.  The month after April.  April, the month we'd hoped to travel to get our lovely daughter.

Welcome, May.

It's not so bad, actually.  May is also the month of our biggest fundraiser, the Orphan Run.  Not traveling right now gives us more time to organize finances and fund raise and pray and prepare.  It gives us more time for us; and like everyone has so kindly reminded me, this time with just the two of us is precious and should be cherished.

Oh, May...

When April was drawing to a close I started thinking about how peaceful I felt that we had not been called to travel.  Did that make me a bad mother, that I was okay with not seeing our daughter now?  I don't think it does.  I think it makes me aware of God's presence in this whole process.  About four years ago (may be little longer, hard to tell at this point), Kevin and I began walking down the very dark and lonesome road of infertility.  We didn't know it at the time, though.  Denial.  Anyway, when we realized what this monster was that we were facing, the weight of the world fell on me.  There was nothing, not one thing, I could do to make it go away.

It: the fear of not being in control, the sadness of thinking you'll never look into the face of a child and see yourself, the anger at everyone around you for not understanding (though you don't really expect them to), the loneliness of going through a death (yes, a death) seemingly by yourself, the frustration that every monthly test result confirms, the wasted wishful thinking.  It.  I couldn't make it go away.

And that was my problem.  I, me, myself.  I couldn't make it go away.  But God could, and He did.  Praise the Lord!

Let me stop here before I have some sweet friends interpret this the wrong way.  God does not work on out time table, nor does He work within our expectations.  The Bible is very clear about that.  Just because we want something that is good and godly does not mean it will be provided in the manner we ask.  Or at all, for that matter.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

During those terrible years--yes, years--I prayed that God would answer me:  Why would He give me this desire for kids and not let me conceive?  That was a daily, almost hourly prayer.  I desperately wanted to know how I was out of His will.  Was I asking for something immoral and unbiblical?  Nope.  So, why no pregnancy?  If no pregnancy, at least an answer would be nice.  What was the purpose of us having to go through this valley?  We were willing to hear from God and let Him teach us whatever we were supposed to be learning.  The more I prayed, the more frustrated I became.  No answer.  Nothing.

So how can I say that was a fruitful time?  How can I look back and acknowledge that God was indeed with us at every step, every tear, every sleepless night, every failed pregnancy test, every empty doctor's visit?  I can only do so because that's what the Word teaches.  Our plans were made, but His purpose reigned.  

So what have I learned through all these years of craziness, now that we are wrapping up this season of out life expecting OUR DAUGHTER to come home?  :)  

I've learned to trust Him.  He's God.  He knows what He's doing.  

I know that sounds trivial, and I know I'm not living that truth out daily, but that's what I believe God has been teaching me.  He took the most precious thing to me at this time of my life and forced me to a place that required me to trust Him.  Not trust in my own plans, but in His.  That is so hard to do.  Even now I'm thinking of all the fundraising stuff we need to do in the coming weeks, and I have to remind myself that He is still with us in every single mundane step.

Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God. 

Now there's two commands that are near impossible for me.  Be still.  Know I'm God.  He is teaching me through all this that He is God, and He will do what He says.  Now, that may not look like what I want, but He will come through.

I'm writing this from the opposite side of the valley.  I'm no longer blinded by the what-ifs and anger that come with infertility.  Being on this side doesn't make the journey easier, it just means God has given me His eyes to see it through.  I hurt for the women who are mommas in their hearts but have no baby to love on.  That's still me.  I hurt for me and Kevin too.  We are in an incredibly joyful time right now as we wait to get our daughter, but adopting brings its own set of challenges and hurt.  Ask anyone adopting and they will confirm that!

I'm not sure what I expect you to take away from this; I just thought it was important for me to purge my thoughts on what it means for me to now be in May 2012 with no immediate hope of seeing my daughter.

I'm still trusting, and God is still faithful to remind me who's boss.  :)

Sending Hugs

the waiting games

You see what I did there?  The Waiting Games...a play on The Hunger Games.  Ok, that was just for me. Got it.

Tonight's update will be in list form for a couple of reasons:  I'm not feeling very writery tonight and the updates are so random that transitions will be messy.  Onward!

1. Did I tell you about the Progress Report we got?  Every month we get a medical checklist of her progress, but we've never gotten a PR.  It was basically an explanation of "a day in the life of."  It told about her likes, dislikes, sleeping habits, favorite foods, favorite playmates, etc.  It was precious.  I know every single parent cherishes those nuggets about his/her child, and it's no different for us so I won't bore you with it all.  She likes the things most every baby likes, such as dancing to music and reading books.  And she's outdoorsy.   I'm not.  I learned that today when I participated in the Sozo Adventure Race.  Wow.  That's intense.  I did have fun, and I have proof.  :)

That's me in the red.  Can you see the mud WALL in front of me?  Yeah, my laughing stopped when I realized that was next.  

Anyway, back to G.  Getting the PR made her come to life for us.  She feels more real now that we can  imagine her giggling when she knows she's going outside, or snuggling in someone's neck as they rock her to sleep.  She's not just a checklist baby anymore.  I'm not sure how often PRs get sent out because this was our first one.  Maybe this will become a monthly thing too.

2.  5K planning is well on it's way for sure!  Sozo was nice enough to put advertisements in their goody bags today for our run.  We have enough sponsors now to get the race off the ground financially.  Any additional funding will go towards the "bells and whistles" of making a good 5K.  As it stands right now, we are hosting a very basic 5K.  But it will ROCK!  I'm feeling very good about where we are in the registrants, volunteers, and sponsors.  And I've recently found businesses to donate prizes.  You know you don't want to miss out on this so go now and sign up!

3.  Kevin and some buddies are planning another fundraiser for June.  Apparently it's very top secret because the only thing that's for sure "real" is the name: Pop Goes the 90s!  Once I know more, you'll know more.  He's laughing at me right now as I type this.  Silly boy.

4.  Now for the two biggest questions I've gotten lately.  When will we travel?  I know we've been waiting a few months, and we thought once EPs started moving again that we would know a better date range.  Well, we don't.  All we know is that prayerfully we will go sometime this year.  That is just an assumption, we haven't heard that from anyone.  What's the hold up?  The easy answer to that is paperwork.  We are simply waiting on her documents to go the courts.  From there it should be about another month before travel.  God has been good to give us lots of peace during this time.  Neither of us feel anxious or worried, which is good since that's sinful.  We are excited to meet G whenever the Lord opens the door.

How can you join us in prayer?

• 5K planning and fundraising
• that our hearts would be molded and prepared for attachment and transition issues
• that G's heart would be molded and prepared for leaving her home and attaching to us (Remember, we know we are matched, she doesn't.)
• that Foster Family will continue loving her and caring for her 
• that her developmental delays will make progress

Thanks, friends!

Sending Hugs

knots and more

It was one year ago (almost) today that we submitted our adoption paperwork.  It's overwhelming and exciting to think how much has changed in the last year.  We have a daughter!  Honestly, it still feels surreal to say it out loud.  There are days when she's nothing but a picture, and other days she might as well be asleep in the next room because I feel so close to her.  Regardless, everyday is a day closer to her being home.  And being 'real' to us.  I guess that sounds harsh to say, but if you've adopted (or are in the process of) then you know what I mean.  There's so much unknown but we are anxious to uncover it!

So, what's the latest update?  It's hard to know what I can and can't say.  I'll fill in as much as I can.  

The Korean Ministry has begun releasing EPs (emigration permits)...yay!   This is something that many many families have been waiting for.  We all thought EPs would start January 1, but it's taken until March for whatever reason.  It doesn't matter now; we are finally moving!  Since we were match with G later in 2011, I knew it would be unlikely for us to get EP approval quickly.  It was so unlikely that Kevin and I had started purchasing things for a 2 year old, since more than likely that's when she would come home.  We still don't know for sure when we will meet her, but we have good reason to believe it will be soon!  Prayerfully by the end of summer.  

When we were initially matched with her, we began praying for an April travel date.  Though we know how big our God is, we were also soberly aware of how slow this process can move.  Now that EPs are moving so quickly, I can't help but wonder if it was God that placed April in my mind.  Hmm...  :)

Even with such good news on the horizon, we are still facing a BEAST of an invoice.  Let me update a little bit on that end.

1.  The Orphan Run 5K is up and running.  We are excited to see what God is going to provide through this.  Planning this run has been stressful, but I know it will all be worth it in the end.  Check out the Orphan Run on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @OrphanRun5K.

2.  We still have plenty of shirts for sale!  I'm happy to sell them for $10 for the next couple of weeks, if anyone is interested. 

3.  Our dear sweet precious friends recently traveled through Korea on their way home and they picked up some GREAT items for us to sell.  Let me tell you, I'm dying to keep them all!  Here they are with the price listed.  If you are interested, just message me.  

Here we have what's called cho-chung-do.  It's basically paintings of plants and animals and was created to send warm greetings to loved ones.  This artist is (was?) one of the leading female artists of this genre. It looks like there are two paintings in this package.  It's a cloth background, about 12 in x 12 in.  $20

This is a basic little tote, black and gold.  I have two of them to share.  $10 a piece

Journals, both for $10.  Filled with blank pages for you to write away!

Gorgeous red earrings with gold designs.  Love these so much!  $20

These earrings are made in the traditional art of knotting, or maedeup.  The pair on the left is white with silver knots, and the ones on the right are (textured) gold with black knots.  These are beautiful.  Words cannot do them justice.    $30 each

Another cute little tote!  This one is white with blue designs, and I only have one of these to sell. $10

Alrighty, more updates to come hopefully!  Until then...

Sending Hugs