The Cost

Today in our Sunday paper was an article about the new Dallas Cowboy stadium that was just finished this past summer. This new state of the art stadium cost 1.15 billion dollars (plus) to build. The video screen alone was an estimate of 40 million dollars. 40 million dollars to show replays of the game.

Would you let that sink in for just a minute?

I don’t know about you, but that embarrasses me. It embarrasses me to live in a country where people are complaining daily about the economy- but yet we can still spend 1.15 billion dollars on a football stadium.

It embarrasses me that we, as a country, are aware that there are people starving and dying of illness that we now consider chronic but treatable, and yet we continue to turn our backs- and look towards the game field instead.

It embarrasses me that people say that they have had to cut back on their ‘giving’… and yet somehow find a way to purchase tickets to that game.

This new stadium holds up to 100,000 people…and people are purchasing those tickets.

One article stated that the average family of four will spend over $700 at one game by simply purchasing the $149 seats in the highest desk, paying $40 to park, buying souvenirs and then consuming 4 burgers, nachos, one popcorn and a few soft drinks.

Now before any of you dedicated sports fans start getting mad at me for this- let me clarify something.

I love football.

I am even guessing God probably loves football. He more than likely delights in watching his people playing and enjoying the game. But what I think God has a problem with is us putting other things (football included) above Him.

I think God has a problem when someone is eager and willing to pay $149 for a seat to the game, but is unwilling to give $25 a month to sponsor a child...

Can you just image the kind of world we would live in if we all decided to spend 1.15 billion dollars on God’s kingdom instead of the football kingdom?

Can you just imagine the kind of world we would live in if we all decided to give $149 towards feeding the hungry instead of over feeding ourselves at the game?

Can you just image the kind of world we would live in if we all were as excited about winning souls as we were about winning the game?

Can you just image the kind of world we would live in if we all raised our kids to worship God instead of worship sports players?

So can I ask you a favor? Could you stop what you are doing right now and pray...

Pray with me for all of the families who are working so hard to come up with the money for their adoption and pray for the child(ren) they are trying to bring home. And then would you also please pray for the children and families God wants to touch through the Pass It Forward Adoption Fund?

The need is so huge… there are so many precious families out there right now that I know about who are trying to adopt...some I know personally, some just through blogs, and many of them are really struggling. God has called them to adopt, they have stepped up to the plate and said yes to God…. Yet they are facing huge number signs- and it is a scary place to be.

Can you pray with me that we can become that stadium full of fans who will cheer them on?

Can you pray with me that we will invest into these families more than we would be willing to pay for a seat at the Dallas Cowboys football game?

Can you pray with me that we would search inside ourselves and really be honest about where our priorities are lining up with Gods?

Will you be a part of the team that works together to win this one for these families- win this one for God?

Because after all, He wrote the greatest play book of all.

Another chance for you to participate in a silent auction item for the
Pass It Forward Adoption Fund...
If you are interested in being the proud owner of this beautiful "Children of the World" ornament and at the same time be a part of another family being able to bring an adopted child home just email me your bid at block amy at hotmail dot com.

Thanks for making the difference!

And they're off...

to a good start!

School is in full swing and everyone is happy with their new teachers and new classes. Miss Aleigha started kindergarten this year and now it's only mommy and Kaden home all day. I think he's finding me rather boring actually. Apparently the big brothers and sisters know how to play race cars and trains way better than mommy does. Every morning he puts on his backpack and informs me that he is going to school too. I am so not ready for that. I'm already missing them being gone all day long, but I love seeing their smiles and hearing all about their day when they get home. Life is so sweet, every single minute of it.






Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Why I love kids...

A friend of mine spent some time talking with her daughter about The Pass It Forward Adoption Fund and how it was important for each one of us to give up something so that we could give to someone else.

She talked to her about how our family was going to eat beans and rice for dinner for the month of September so that we would be able to cut back on our grocery bill, therefore having more to give.

She then asked her daughter, Kristin, if she would be willing to do the same...

After much though, Kristin decided that no, there was just no way she was willing to eat beans and rice for a month... however, she would be willing to eat CHEETOS every night for dinner for the month of September.

And that my friends is why I ADORE kids.

The reality

Sometimes as donations have come in for the Pass It Forward Adoption Fund- I don’t know the story behind who sent it or why. I don’t get to hear how God has spoken to the person who is giving… or why they chose to give when there are so many other things they could do with their money instead.

But I do pray over each person, and over each donation-asking God to bless them and their obedience to His call. I know that whether it was a $1.00 donation or $100 donation- that person made a sacrifice of their time, of their money, and of themselves. And it is beautiful.

.

And yet sometimes I do get to hear their story…Sometimes I get to find how God has spoken to them... I get to hear how He is working in their lives, changing them, molding them… and through it, I too, am changed.

A couple of weeks ago I went to my mailbox and found this…

Not only was I taken back by the $65.00 and some change that came spilling out, but what really knocked the wind out of me was the story behind the money.

It is a story of pure obedience and awareness- and it rocked me to the core.

Inside the envelope was a hand written letter of the story of how God had spoken to this beautiful girl and brought her to a place where she had the opportunity to choose obedience in God- or choose herself.

She went onto explain that 18 days before she had made 3 purchases frivolously and knew in the pit of her stomach that she had done something that was displeasing to God. Yet despite the feelings and various things that had happened surrounding the purchases, she chose to not return the items- all the while feeling horrible.

She explained that she didn’t understand why there are times that she felt the need to argue with God because ultimately the only thing that matters in her life is Him. As the tears ran down my face onto the pages of her letter, the ink began to smudge. Then I began to ask myself how many times had I done the exact same thing?

How many times had I chosen to argue with God, rationalize my decision-and then ignore him- when I too knew down deep in my heart that the only thing that truly mattered to me was Him?

And then I had to search myself even further and ask myself if I would have done what she did next…

Packing up her purchases she drove back to the store and returned the items… and then she did something else… she listened. She took the time and really listened to God… listened to him tell her that the money had another purpose.

For two days she listened and waited for God to show her… and then that night, she opened my blog, read our story, and she knew. She saw the need and she knew. She didn’t fight with God anymore, she didn’t rationalize keeping the money. There was absolutely no benefit for her involved- she just saw the need and responded to it. She responded to God.

A beautiful picture of pure obedience.

Hearing her story taught me more than I ever thought possible. I had to come face to face with the fact that there have been many times in my life I have had that ‘pit in my stomach’ kind of feeling over something- and yet I chose to ignore Him.

I had to come face to face with the face that there have many times in my life I spent money on myself- spent money on things that had no eternal value, out of my own desire to bring pleasure to myself.

I had to come face to face with the fact that many times I have made excuses and many times was I careless with the purchases I made- without any thought to anyone else.

I had to come face to face with the fact that many times I have kept the purchases only to find that they didnt bring me the happiness I originally thought. And many times I kept the item, only to throw them in the garage sale box several months later…all the while someone else went without.

I had to come face to face with the fact that many times I chose to keep the items, only to see them still sitting there months later collecting dust… all the while a constant reminder that I chose 'them' over Him.

Lord, please forgive me...

Heavenly Father, I lift up this amazing girl and the example of pure obedience she has taught me. Her story will forever be etched into my heart. Forgive me for the times Lord that I put my own desires before the things that truly matter to you. Forgive me for the opportunities that I had to make a difference in someone else’s life- and instead I chose myself. But more than anything else God I pray that you change me. I pray that you make me more like you and more like my friend who chose to listen and chose to obey. Thank you Lord, and thank you my friend for your example and for what you have taught me. May I be forever changed.

“Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Matthew 20:33

When I look at you I don't see...

More mouths to feed,

more bills to pay,

more worries,

more pains,

more hassles,

more cost,

more burdens

or more work.

What I see is...

A chance,

a hope,

a promise,

a choice,

a person,

a dream,

a life,

a blessing,

a gift.

Rice and Beans- Blogger challenge

Wanna know what breaks my heart just as much as this?
It's this...

Here in America we do not often see a child dying of starvation… but we have all witnessed a child who has been raised as selfish and spoiled- being taught the world is revolving around them. I cannot tell you how often I have had people say to me “I don't know how you can handle SEVEN kids- I can’t even stand the two I’ve got!" And that is what breaks my heart.

Our children are our greatest treasures- I promise you God didn’t give them to you and I so that ‘we wouldn’t be able to stand being around them”. We, as a spoiled society, does that to them. I think many times, we as parents, don’t even realize what we are doing.

We are tricked into thinking that we are good parents when we give them everything-because by giving them things we are proving their worth. (and we forget that worth is not found in things).

We look at our beautiful little cherubs and want to give them the world- and we believe we can.

We think by lavishing them with gifts, signing them up for every lesson from violin to soccer-we are proving how talented they (so in essence WE) are.

We teach them that they are better than everyone else and that they need to look out for #1.

But really- by doing those things, we are stealing from them.

We are stealing the joy that comes from reaching out to someone else. We are stealing the love that they could experience by truly being able to caring about someone else. And ultimately, we are stealing Christ from them -because they simply cannot understand why they would need Him- when they are conditioned to be 'good enough’ to do it all on their own.

For the month of September our family has committed to eating beans and rice every night for dinner. We are doing this in order to save money on our grocery bill and then to be able to give that money to the Pass It Forward Adoption Fund- for someone elses adoption. Because we know our children are a result of what we teach them- we want our children to know that it is okay to live less extravagantly so that we can give to someone else. We are not rich- but together we can work to accomplish big things through Christ. Each and every dollar counts- each and every dollar does make a difference.

By teaching our children to serve and to put others needs first-we are giving them the tools of success- as parents, as spouses, as citizens and as employees. Yet even more importantly- we are teaching our children to appreciate what they have instead of constantly longing for more. Children who are starving in 3^rd world countries would consider themselves blessed to be served a warm diet of beans and rice daily- and these children are just as important to God as we are. There are so many ways we can teach our children to give of themselves- and to make this world a better place because they are in it.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

So I'd like to start a blogger challenge. Talk to your children, pray with them, work together, and then commit to give something up so that you can give to someone else. It doesn’t have to be rice and beans for dinner for a month- it can whatever you decide. Let them get creative- you may be surprised as how much they truly want to be a part of something more. Let them pray and let them seek God and see where He leads them. I promise you will be blessed.

He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.
- Author Unknown

As time goes by...

Yesterday I spent the day packing up Travis and taking him off to college...
today I have spent the morning bawling my eyes out.

It's such a weird feeling. When I walked away from him yesterday, my baby boy, I left him smiling and laughing and happy meeting new friends. Happy to have this new experience, this opportunity in life to further his education, and to discover more about who he is-and the purpose God has for his life.

And yet I am so sad.

Sad at how quickly life goes by, sad that it will never be the same again.

This is exactly what I wanted for him- this is what I prayed about for so long. Yet as I walked into his room this morning, sat on his bed that still smells like a stinky boy, I was overcome with emotions.
Mostly, I think I was mad at myself. Mad for all of the times that I didn't stop and just let myself soak in how truly blessed I was to be living in that exact moment.
Mad that I let time slip by so quickly because I truly didn't realize how quickly things change. Mad because I didn't always stop and appreciate the beauty of the painting he drew me in Kindergarten, the sight of my son sitting in his room playing XBOX, the kiss he blew me as he walked out the door, or the finger smudges he left on the glass door.

I didn't know how fast it would go. I didn't remember to be thankful for every single minute.

Instead I often let the laundry piling up, the errands that needed to be run, or the pressures of this world take priority.

And now, while I am so happy and SO PROUD of the man he has become, my heart is breaking because I just didn't know it would go by so fast.

I love you Travis- thank you for being exactly who you are. I could never, ever ask for more... well, except for it to have not gone so fast.

Make God proud my son- that is all that truly matters.

How I love

This child...

And this child...

And this child...

And this child...

And this child...

And this child...

And this child...

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ... that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." ~Ephesians 3:17-19

I received an email the other day from a sweet girl who is in the process of adopting right now. She had written about how this adoption was such a huge step of faith for her family- how coming up with the money was so terrifying because in the past they had gotten ‘burned’. She went on to explain that a few years back she had gone on a missions trip with her church and how she had worked and worked to fund raise. As the trip approached, people kept telling her not to worry- God would provide. And yet when the time came for them to leave for the trip- she was still short on part of the money she needed to go. The church she attended let her go anyway because they had witnessed how hard she had worked- and yet to this day, remembering how that had happened, left her feeling disappointed and hurt. Her faith had been shaken to the very core.

So what happens when God doesn’t come through and why doesn’t He sometimes? I know I, for one, have had those exact thoughts in the past-especially as we embarked on this new adoption journey. And I know of others who are afraid to take that first step of faith as well. So this got me to thinking... where was God when this happened? Why did this happened?

This is what I discovered…

God didn’t fail her. He never fails us.

And she didn't fail either.

She did indeed go on the missions trip just as God had called her to do. He saw her heart and He saw her willingness and that is all that truly matters. She heard God calling her, had a heart to serve Him, and a heart to serve others. She worked hard, she stepped out of her comfort zone. She spend time and energy on something other than her own personal ‘needs’. She was willing. She told God she would go- and she did.

So what did happened? What went wrong?

We did.

You see, I believe we are all called to sometimes be ‘goers’ and sometimes be ‘senders’. In this instance- the ‘senders’ failed her. The failed to do their job- they failed to support her. This is why I believe it is so important that we are all in this together. Being a sender if every bit as important as being a goer. We can't all go on every missions trip- some of us will never be able to go at all. We cannot all adopt every child- some of us will never be able to adopt at all. But we all play a very important part. We are all called.

I am going to be honest and admit that there have been times when I saw a need- saw a chance to be a part of something God was involved in- and didn’t act. Perhaps I was preoccupied with my own ‘missions work’. Perhaps I forgot, or got busy. Perhaps I just thought someone else would do it- or I just chose, out of my own selfishness, to ignore the need. Perhaps I chose not to make God’s priorities my priorities- and simply focused on ME.

Ugly huh?

When we claim Jesus as our personal savior we become a part of the body and we are to work together in all areas. And yet often we don’t. Often times we look out of our own little window of life and become caught up in our desires, our plans and our dreams-and we missing being a part of the bigger picture. We miss the blessing of being a part of something BIG for God’s kingdom because we are too consumed with our own world. One of my all time favorite lyrics in a song is from In the Blink of an Eye, By MercyMe . It goes like this (sing it with me now) "How can I further your Kingdom when I’m so wrapped up in mine?” That one line says it all.

We can’t further His kingdom when all we care about is ours. We need to be willing to invest ourselves and our lives into others whether Gods asks us to do that through prayers, words of support, giving of our time, or financially

.

God asked our family to be 'goers'. We are blessed to get to ‘go’ to Africa and bring home a child and adopt them as our own. But I also know God wants our family to be a ‘senders’. We are giving all that we can to be a ‘part’ of the bigger picture- a part of His plan.

What about you? Where does God have you right now- and are you listening?

Remember just investing one dollar, one prayer, or one word of encouragement truly does make a difference in the life of someone else.

God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you... may provide in abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Just so you know...

**** Update-thanks for your patience- I FIGURED IT OUT! YEAH! Look at what you guys did! You are making a difference!!

First of all- THANK YOU so much to those of you who have contributed to someone else's adoption through the Pass It Forward adoption fund. You guys are AWESOME and I am so thankful for every single one of you. Because I am so technically challenged I am having a hard time getting this chip in button thing to show the contributions. Those of you who really know me know that I have never used PayPal before (I'm the send a check in the mail kind of gal).However, I am working on it, and waiting on confirmation on the account. (I don't bank online so I had to wait the 2-3 business days). Just didn't want you guys to wonder what was going on. I keep telling God that He probably chose the wrong girl for the job- I'm just a mommy (with a HUMONGOUS passion for orphans). I'm willing to learn though and so thankful that God sees something in me worth using.
Love you all and thank you again for making a difference in someone else's life.

Celebrating 14 years of this precious girl!!

Thank you Addisyn for bringing so much joy into our lives. I could not be more proud of the kind of person you choose to be every day of your life. Live big for Him sweetheart-We love you!

Our first official fundraiser for someone else's adoption

This fundraiser my kids thought up! They got this adorable African doll and wanted to do a 'silent auction' on here to make money for our "Pass it Forward Adoption Fund" for someone else's adoption. We are not allowed to do raffles in our states so if you are interested in winning the doll you can email me your bid at block amy @ hotmail dot com and the highest bidder will be the proud owner of this beautiful doll!

Also, I did add a 'chip in' gadget on the right side of my blog for those of you who asked. Thank you so much for your hearts and thank you for your support. Together we can get these kids home.

Finding YOUR way...

As I posted previously I have gotten so many emails from people who after hearing our story have been refilled with hope. And that blesses my heart beyond words because when we have hope- we begin to see a way… a way to get the 147 million orphans in to loving homes. A hope that God wants to use you and me and will.

But I wanted to say that while GOD IS amazing to drop that money into our laps- He is STILL just as AMAZING when He doesn’t do it that way.

For Mya and Aleigha’s adoptions from Guatemala we worked our tails off to come up with the money. Trust me, IT WAS WORK. It took time, it took TONS of effort, tons of faith, and we were still left with some debt that we had to pay off in the end. We created and sold Adoption cookbooks- there was major hours of work involved in that. We gave up eating out, had garage sales, scrimped and saved and much, much more. But the cool things is- God brought them home and I don’t for one second regret what we gave up or the work we did. It was worth it all. And when I look back now and see how He was using that time to change us, stretch us, grow us- it all makes complete sense.

When faced with moving forward or not-we can’t just focus on the cost and say “Nope, no way- can’t do it- it’s too much.” If we know that God is calling us (and I am thinking He is if you are bothering to read this blog post) we HAVE to take that leap of faith… just like we did with the pickle jar... knowing it more than likely will NOT be easy- knowing it would take time- but being willing to do it anyway.

And please understand- we are not patting myself on the back-we were scared to death. I promise you I could NOT have seen this coming… But God did. And He see’s your way too- if you are willing… willing to GIVE IT ALL, GIVE IT ALL UP and GIVE IT ALL TO HIM.

I think for us, starting our pickle jar this time around meant confessing to him we were willing to sacrifice ourselves, and our lifestyle in this world- for something bigger. We were willing to give up eating out, we were willing to wear garage sale clothes and willing to not lavished each other with gifts at Christmas. We were willing to give up vacations and much more.

Do you get your nails done? Can you give that up?
Can you cut your own hair and your kids? If not, learn- I did. :0) (they had a few bad ones but I eventually figured it out LOL).
Keep looking- watch carefully what you are throwing into your cart at Walmart…
Drive less-car pool.
Is there a boat, camper or motorcycle sitting in your garage? Sell it.
Give up bottled water, Starbucks, and coke- drink tap water.
Turn down the air conditioner or the heat.
Hang dry your clothes.
Get a 2nd job.
Don’t give expensive gifts-make them instead. Or better yet- give someone your time and attention.
Make a budget.
GIVE to others (even while you are saving)
Spend less on entertainment. Use the library, take walks, go on picnics.
Make do with what you have.
Do without.
Tell God- or better yet- SHOW GOD how serious you are. What are you willing to give up to follow Him? Ask Him to point out the difference between your needs and wants. Then really search yourself and be honest.

The month of September (we are not starting now because we are using up our groceries) our family is committing to eating beans and rice every night for dinner to save on our grocery bill so that we can put what we saved off our grocery bill in our pickle jar for someone else’s adoption. Are we going to get sick of beans and rice? You better believe it. Will it be fun? Um, NO. But children living on the streets would be thankful for beans and rice- so who are we to sit down to steak and potatoes when we could be giving it up to GIVE MORE? Our kids also wanted to be a part of this- and what an great way to teach them to give of themselves for someone else. Can you image what God will be able to do through them one day when they 'get' this?

So my challenge is for you to ask yourself-How bad do you want make a difference? What are you willing to give up to GET a child home?

You CAN do it.

DO NOT GIVE UP.

It’s not a question of 'can we?'- it’s a question of will we?

Will we do what it takes?

And I also want to encourage you to really listen to God and where He is calling you. Have you prayed about adopting through the foster system? It’s way cheaper- virtually free. God brought our beautiful, perfect, precious Kaden to us this way and we were blessed in an even greater way than having $20,000 handed to us.

However, only you know where God is calling you- ALL children matter- not location. So whether God is call you to China, Ethiopia, Uganda, Russia, Taiwan, Columbia or the US foster system for your child- listen and then obey.

Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Listening...

This came today in my inbox. I love it when God meets you right where you are. For the past couple of days I have been so blessed by the precious emails and support we have gotten. And yet often I have felt overwhelmed and totally questioning if God picked the wrong girl for the job. I am just a mommy with a passion and desire to help the least of these... just a mommy who knows what it feels like to want so badly to help the least of these- but to have no idea how to come up with the money. Just a mommy who wants to leave this world just a little bit better than when she came. I don't know why God blessed us the way He did, but one thing I have found is that I can never 'guess' what God is up to or why. That is not my job. My job is to just be willing, just be available when He calls. I don't have the answers- but I know the one who does... and I am listening Lord.


God Speaks through Circumstances
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
08-12-2009

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things" (Eccl 11:5).

God will often use circumstances in our lives to direct us in making and confirming decisions. I have often discovered this to be the case - but only after a situation has occurred. I later look back and see how God worked in the situation.

Years ago, I launched a magazine designed for Christians in the workplace and I was having lunch with a Christian leader named Larry who headed a ministry that helps men and women apply biblical principles to managing money.

During our lunch, I explained to Larry that I had noticed that there were many grassroots workplace ministries cropping up all over the country. I asked Larry if he was familiar with some of the groups since he had taught a course and wrote a book on operating a business on biblical principles. But he said he was not. He then asked, "It would be nice to know what all these groups are doing so we don't duplicate efforts. Do you think you could invite some of these groups for a roundtable discussion?" I told him I would and I proceeded to invite four main workplace ministries that I had worked with in the past.

Then something unexpected began to happen. I began to get requests from ministries all around the country that had heard about the gathering and they were asking if they could attend the roundtable. By the time the event actually took place, 54 people showed up representing 45 organizations from around the country! Unfortunately, Larry had a last minute conflict and was not able to attend, and he informed me that I would have to host the meeting myself. That was the birth of Marketplace Leaders, the ministry I now lead full time. I often joke that God tricked me into starting this ministry because He knows I never would have done that on my own at that time.

God often confirms His direction through circumstances. Be on alert that when God sets up situations that are out of your control - He may be giving you direction through these circumstances.

Today's Prayer
Lord, I'm reminded today of that old hymn "When We Walk with the Lord." It says "what You say, we will do, where You send we will go; never fear, only trust and obey." Help my condition, Lord, that I will not fear, but that will walk with You all the days of my life and have faith to always trust and obey, and leave the outcome to You. In Your name I pray. Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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).