Lifesong for Orphans: Orphan Sunday

I am so excited about Lifesong's mission moment this month.  Well, it usually excites me but this month just a little more than usual!  

November is Adoption and Orphan Awareness month and our church's Orphan and Adoption Ministry has a great night planned for Orphan Sunday.  Well, since our speaker wasn't available on November 3 which is Orphan Sunday worldwide, we changed it to November 10th and are so excited about it. Until a few years ago I didn't know about Orphan Sunday.  I didn't know about a lot of things were God's command to care for the fatherless was concerned but I'm learning. God may not "call" everyone to adopt but he does command everyone to care for the orphan.  Read more from Lifesong. 

On November 3rd, 2013, thousands of events will echo across America and around the globe, all sharing a single goal: that God's great love for the orphan will find echo in our lives as well. (OrphanSunday.org)

One Day. One Voice. One Purpose. Orphan Sunday

Does your family, small group or church have plans for Orphan Sunday? There are so many ways that we can honor orphans collectively as the Body of Christ on Orphan Sunday. Here are just a few:

• Advent for Orphans Calendar -- see explanation below
• Orphan's Table -- share a meal eaten by orphans around the world. Gather with family, small group or church for the meal, discussion and prayer.
• Partnership Packages -- easy-to-follow Orphan Sunday event plan, enabling you to partner with an organization to create a simple event!

Other Resources -- videos, prayer guides, sermon notes, t-shirts & more!

To learn more about Orphan Sunday or find an event near you visit OrphanSunday.org.

Advent for Orphans Calendar

This year, make Advent about more than just eating chocolate.

We are so excited to announce this year's Advent for Orphans Calendar! What is Advent for Orphans? It's a creative way to celebrate Advent with your family, small group, church, etc. while loving and providing for orphans around the world. It's especially great for families with kids!

Request your free Advent for Orphans Calendar today at www.LifesongforOrphans.com/Advent.

Read More...

Impact of Advent for Orphans -- Read about the impact Advent for Orphans had on Blake and Christine's family last year. Read More

More Orphan Sunday Event Ideas -- Struggling to think of an event for Orphan Sunday? Read through examples of past Orphan Sunday events. Read More

I AM LOVED -- Watch Christian Alliance for Orphan's Official Orphan Sunday video!  Watch Video

Share Orphan Sunday -- Share the joy of Orphan Sunday with your friends by posting badge & banner on your blog or facebook page. Get badge and banner

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that whatever happened yesterday and no matter what tomorrow may bring, Psalm 136 will still reign true.

25 months waiting.

He (Lao Tzu) said 

"a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."  

We took that one single step what seems like a lifetime ago when we contracted with AGCI.  25 months ago we were finally put on the wait list our agency keeps of dossier ready families that are waiting to adopt from Ethiopia.  The list was long but referrals were coming regularly and the wait didn't seem so daunting.  Today, 10 months into the year and with only two dozen referrals thus far the wait seems harrowing.  

How long will it take?  

Will we ever make it to the other side of this wait? 

Why does it have to be so hard?

These are questions that run through my mind on a daily basis. 

We had our pictures taken while on vacation and our "waiting for you" sign came with us.  I think once we get home with our little one we are going to have a sign burning ceremony.  More likely I'll keep it forever.  It's traveled with us as we've waited.  It's been present at too many holidays, birthday parties and fun times than I care to think about it.  

This sign stands in homage of the little one we're waiting for; it represents a sweet smile, brown eyes and a little heart that beats with ours thousands of miles and half a world away. 

 

We are a family of three waiting to grow.  Our growing pains have lasted much longer than we'd like.

We are a daddy, mommy and brother desperately longing for our fourth (and maybe fifth) member. 

That one step, taken so long ago has gotten us so far.  Although the end is not yet in sight and we are tired, weary and ready, we will continue on.  

It's always darkest before the dawn...

His mercies are new every morning...

Be still and know....

Obviously Gabe's pretty over the waiting too...I'm with you little man, I am with you...

Then we went to the beach.

A few weeks before we went to Houston, Matt told me he had a surprise for me.  

In general, I don't like surprises. 

I like good surprises if I know about them in advance.   

And well nobody likes bad surprises, right? 

The surprise... a few days at a beach side condo after our stay in Houston.  

Standing on the beach, looking out over the ocean, smelling the salty air...

it all rejuvenates my soul.

And after this past summer, we were in need for rejuvenation. 

Our condo was amazing.  Each day we did something touristy, ate something unhealthy and spent as much time possible on the beach, in the waves and relaxing in the pool.  I spent early mornings reading on our balcony and Matt and I spent late nights watching Airplane Repo and talking about this,that and everything in between.  

Beach side restaurants, ice cream on the boardwalk, museums, kite watching, boat riding.... our days were busy, fun and just what we needed. 

After eating at Bubba Gumps on our first day we took a ferry ride.  

It was free.  

Gabe absolutely loved it.  

Matt and I enjoyed it too.

We saw birds, fish, dolphins and other boats.

Gabe's favorite was the birds.  

They kept "flying with us"