orphan awareness month

When I was growing up, no one really talked about orphans and adoption.  I don't think it was out of fear as much as ignorance.  I don't know of anyone I went to school or church with that was adopted or in foster care or orphaned.  Though I never had a negative image of fatherless kids, it's hard to care for what you don't know much about.  In the midst of all that, God gave me a heart for adoption.  I'll be honest, it was probably spurred by lots of people thinking I was Chinese.  I still get that, too, believe it or not.

Anyway, I became interested in the idea of adopting an Asian baby at some point in my life.
Looking back, I wish we had known more about orphans.  I wish my church had walked us through the realities of James 1:27.  I wish I had known an adoptee.  Maybe I did, and I just never knew it.  I wish it would have been a more open topic.

Being at Auburn exposed me to a more international community, but orphan care was still never addressed by the church.  At least not that I recall, which means it wasn't addressed well.  It wasn't until about two years ago that I knew an orphan awareness month existed!  And boy are we a church of awareness!  Not only do we celebrate orphan education, pray for the orphans, and care for them through various ministries, but we are an adopting church.  I guess what I'm saying is we put our money where our mouth is (literally when you're looking at $18K!).  I have absolutely loved watching our new friends walk through the adoption journey.

Now that we are adopting, Orphan Awareness month has a deeper meaning.  Our orphan has a face and a name now!

November is Orphan Awareness month.  Kevin and I wanted to take November 6, which is Orphan Awareness Sunday, to do a little something for our orphan. Our church hosted a potato bar for lunch with the money going towards orphan care.  I was anxious to head this up.

I spent a couple hours at Sams' Club buying 150 lbs of potatoes, 7 lbs of butter, 10 lbs of sour cream, 15 lbs of cheese, and many other items.  People stared.  A lot.  Especially because I was alone with two buggies.  I can't lie, for a brief moment I thought How will I get all this in the car by myself?  Slightly overwhelming.

So with the help of lots of sweet CCC people, we set up the orphan potato bar, and I really think it was a hit.  Praise God!

We were also blessed this month to have a sweet friend do a baked goods fundraiser for us.

Maggie's family is adopting from Ethiopia, but she still wanted to help us out.  Tell me that is not precious! Her heart is sold out for doing good for the Kingdom of God. She has started her own ministry, Children of God, where she wants to do monthly fundraisers for people in ministry.  Seriously, it's convicting.  The most amazing part of this is that she and her family were praying the sale made $250 for  us.  God delivered that and then some!  I love watching His hand provide over and over again.  I was absolutely blown away that she had us in mind for her first step into ministry, and I'm praying that God will continue to use her obedient and willing heart to serve His purposes further.  Faith like a child...

On a slightly different note, Kevin and I are headed to downtown B'ham tomorrow to get our biometrics measured, whatever that means.  I honestly cannot wait to get back home and tell you all about it.  I've been telling people lately that if every parent had to go through all the paperwork and tests we've had to, we'd have less crime.  :)

While I'm thinking about it...   I know we aren't getting Gia for several more months, but I'd love for y'all to join us in praying for her transition once we do get her.  We know we've been matched, but she doesn't know that.  She doesn't know that her forever family is anxiously waiting and praying for her.  She's happy where she is right now.  She doesn't want to leave.   I definitely don't want to be the person that ruins that for her, but I know I will.  So, please pray that God will start preparing her heart for the huge change she will soon face.

Sending Hugs