Our pickle jar overfloweth....

Have you ever been so completely and utterly knocked off your feet by God’s immeasurable greatness?

I mean the kind of blown away where you were physically shaking?

That is me right now… blown away and physically shaken.

Our. God. Is. Unbelievable.

I don’t even know where to start… so I will just go ahead and blurt it out…

WE HAVE THE $20,000 FOR OUR ADOPTION!!! PAID IN FULL- from someone who wishes to remain anonymous.

In one week our pickle jar overfloweth.

You know, when people used to say to me “God will provide” I am going to admit to you that while I know God can- and often does that for other people-I didn’t really believe he would do it for us.

But do you want to hear the best part?? It doesn’t even stop there!!! It gets so much better actually, that I have barely had time to even stop and concentrate on the fact that in a year or less I will have one (or perhaps two) beautiful African children in our family.

So what could it possibly be better than that you are thinking??

IT's better because- we are STILL going to be raising $20,000 for an adoption!!

Can you believe how AWESOME God is??

The God of the universe is going to allow us to be a part of something bigger, something grander than we could have ever dreamed. Something that will change lives, give people hope and encourage them to be more- do more- than they ever dreamed possible.

See, here is the thing, when God blesses us it is so that we can bless others.

Get it?

It’s not about ‘us’ it’s about HIM.

We are not the ‘end to the means’. We are only the beginning. We are His hands and feet and when He gives to us- it’s not supposed to be a one time deal, genie in the bottle, my wish was granted, sort of thing. It’s Him blessing someone so that someone else can bless someone and that someone can bless someone else.

It’s what following Christ is all about.

It’s about living for a purpose greater than ‘ourselves- our needs, far greater than something we can accomplish on our own- but knowing that through us, Christ can. It's about seeing someone else in need- and meeting that need, even when it’s hard, even when it hurts, even when it makes us uncomfortable, even when it’s work- because when we follow Jesus our life is no longer our own.

There are 147 million orphans in this world-NONE OF US CAN DO THIS ALONE, but together I truly believe we can start to be the change.

I do not desire to be the kind of person who sits here typing away on my computer preaching how we should all be adopting or supporting adoption, taking care of the least of these- and then say “Yea, goodie for us, WE have the money- thanks God- good luck to the rest of you.” That is NOT what being a Christ follower is all about. WE ARE THE BODY- we are IN THIS TOGETHER. It’s going to take ALL of us working together, being willing to sacrifice, get dirty, sometimes even go without- to make a difference.

So because we truly want to live out our faith and because we truly want to honor our donor- we are starting the “Pass it Forward adoption fund”.

Being around adoptions for the past 7-8 years the one thing I have experienced as well as heard over and over again from fellow adoptive parents is how scary and overwhelming the cost is. Their hearts are burden for these children- and yet we are at loss as to how to come up with the money to adopt. We know God can supply- yet often times it is not as simple as Him dumping it in our lap. (although sometimes he does!)

So, where do we begin? For us, our pickle jar was our start of obedience- yet we knew it would never be enough. We do not live in an area that is hugely supportive of adoptions period. There are other adoptive families- but not many.

Some of us are fortunate enough to attend churches that already support adoption. Others of us are laying that foundation.

So we knew God was going to have to do the rest- And He did.

So just think of how you would feel knowing there is a WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE out there with the same burden, same passion as you and they were willing to work along side you? They were willing to fund raise with you- for you? Can’t you just feel God in that? What if a whole bunch of people decided to start a pickle jar, have a garage sale, or use their talents to raise money for your adoption.

Can’t you just see God in that?

And as one awesome person said in a comment they left on my blog - "if 20,000 people gave just $1.00 that is ANOTHER CHILD WHO GETS A HOME."

For us, I will be honest, while I know it is wrong, I just had such a hard time asking people for money, or even accepting other peoples money. Maybe it was pride and while I know that is a sin and something I need to work on, it is so hard. I have heard others say the same thing. So what I love about the Pass It Forward Adoption Fund is- you wouldn't be raising money for your own adoption-you would raise money for someone else's.

There is so much we have to pray through and work out. So many details left to sort through. It’s going to take work and it’s going to take time but I truly believe that God doesn’t just want His blessing to end with one child and one family.

I think He wants this to grow to help many. So I need your help, I need your willingness, your obedience to be a part of something more than you or I could ever do on our own.

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25




In a world full of lost, hurting people living for themselves I think it’s time those of us who follow Christ come together and ‘be the change we wish to see in this world.’ (Gandhi) In a world full of people who are trying to do it all in their own strength, constantly trying to prove they are don’t need anyone else, I think it’s time we start admitting we need Christ’s love- we need each other.

It’s going to take US working together to help THEM.

So now I feel free- free to ask- will you help us?

WILL YOU HELP US RAISE THE FUNDS FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S ADOPTION?

Will you give? Will you be a part of something bigger?

One child, one family, at a time?

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

If you have any questions or any idea’s I am more than open. Remember we are in this together. We are praying, seeking God’s will and wanting to do whatever it takes to get these kids home. If you want to give your idea’s- or your pickle jar- feel free to email me at blockamy @ hotmail. com (no spaces).

To our donor...

There will never be words that are worthy enough to tell you how much it means to us what you have done. But I want to thank you for being a living example of Christ. What you did, what you gave, literally saved a life and I am praying it continues on and on and on...
I may be the one who in the future gets to land on US soil with these precious African babies in my arm- but you will always be the one responsible for making that happen. It is my greatest dream, now, to learn from your example and to 'do unto others have as you would have others do unto you'. It is my greatest dream to honor your example and bring hundreds of children into loving Christian homes where they too can learn about Christ’s love. You are leaving behind a legacy- the greatest legacy of all- of a person who gave their all and gave Christ all of the glory. You may never get to see just how far or wide this goes… but I know that one day when you stand in front of our maker He will open His arms and say" WELL DONE, good and faithful servant". I love you and while I know it will never, ever be enough- thank you. Thank you for living for something bigger than yourself.

Giving sets us free, while hoarding entraps us (James 5:2).
Giving changes the lives of others (John 3:16).
Giving brings blessing back to us (Luke 6:38).
Giving allows us to store up treasures in Heaven rather than here on the earth (Matthew 19:21).