November is National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. In honor of Orphan Sunday and Adoption Awareness, I’m thrilled to share some amazing adoption stories from bloggers and posts to inspire you to open your hearts to adoption and orphan care. This month, you can WIN a mission trip to visit orphans here. Every single purchase of a Missions Giveaway tee will touch the life of an orphan in 13 countries all over the world. You can be a part of changing the life of a child and the winner- together!

I hope you find encouragement as you read “Who Picks Who” one of my favorite and most difficult posts to write. We are grateful to celebrate adoption and the miracle God gave us- our precious daughter Zoie Senait.

Have you ever asked yourself these questions:

• Do I pick adoption or does adoption pick me?
  
• How do I know if I’m really called to adopt?
• Is adoption right for me?
• Will I have an “Ah Ha” moment?

Well, how do you know if you should adopt? You might be feeling in your heart to adopt, but your head is thinking, “God, adoption? Do you know how many details I would have to work on?” I have been asked many times how does this big ‘”Ah-ha” happen… the exact moment when you knew adoption was the right thing for you to do?  Every adoption story is different and personal and unique.  We all have expectations for how we think life will play out, and we all hope those plans will become realities.  But, what happens when God calls us to do something crazy out of the ordinary?  What do we do when the “ah ha” is too big and too scary and too risky?

Adoption is not for everyone, I understand that we all have different callings, gifts, talents and passions.  James 1:27 “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”  We are all called to do something, to take care of orphans…whether it’s sponsoring a child, missions, foster care, financial, or adoption.  This is my adoption story, the one God wrote for Roger and I… a story we had no idea how it would play out or end.

It’s difficult for me to look back in time at my own personal journey to adopt Zoie, but if my story can help encourage or point you in the right direction, it’s worth it to me.  In 1999, my heart was finally healing over the loss of our son and the craziness of having a 26 week old micro-preemie, who was now a healthy three year old.  I loved being a mommy and desired to expand our family through adoption.  My biggest hurdle was convincing Roger that we should adopt.  It seemed like such an easy question, but it had taken me a long time to find the courage to ask.  I had no idea how he would respond.  I will never forget the day I asked my hubby, “Do you want to adopt?”  In 0.2 seconds, Roger said, “Nope.” Okay, perhaps he did not hear understand what I was referring to, so I asked the same question in a different way. This time I knew he heard, because his reply was even more accelerated this time, “No, I’m sorry, but adoption is just not for me!”  I asked if he would pray about it and he said he would, but I think he said that just to put an end to the conversation.  I never spoke to him about adoption again.  A simple question, turned into a dangerous surrender of my heart.

Three years later, my hubby out of the blue asked me a question that totally caught me off guard, “Do you still want to adopt?”  My mouth dropped, I was speechless.  I remember stuttering and laughing and choking out the words- “are you serious?”  I couldn’t believe that God had answered my prayers in such an extraordinary way, but it was three years later and so much had changed in my life.  My children were older and life was feeling easier and calmer and quieter- they were both in school.  I wasn’t so sure anymore if adoption was “our thing” so I told him lets give it some time and think about it.  How could it be possible that my heart wasn’t willing, and my reasons were so shallow.  I struggled constantly asking, “God, why are you bothering me with this?”  I had shared my desire to adopt several times during my “hiatus” with my mom, my best friend and others – they all said the same thing… are you crazy?!  Fear had settled into my heart.  Fear to not do something radical and unfamiliar.  I did not know a single person in my community that had adopted a child… I was clueless about the adoption process.  I believed that without the blessing from my hubby, family and friends I would never have the courage to adopt.  It was a case closed in fear.

It’s crazy I know, but God cracked opened the case files.  He urgently prompted Roger and I to move forward with adoption.  I know that sounds really strange, but I can only explain how it happened for us.   Our “Ah ha” moment came six years later after my original request.  Our breakthrough was an adorable, spunky nine year old who became our family ambassador.  She begged and prayed and pleaded and nagged and insisted we adopt a baby.  We came up with brilliant excuses, but our daughter, Hannah was relentless.  We loved being a mom and dad, wanted to expand our family, but how in the world were we going to know if we heard His voice and make the right decision for our family?  We started praying for clarification, neon signs flashing, anything to help us know what to do.  Our son pretty much thought we’d lost our marbles- even told us we were “whacked,” but we committed to prayer.  We prayed and prayed for two years, but still fear was our worst enemy.  We were scared to death and it made us feel paralyzed to make the final decision to adopt.  We finally had several friends who had adopted or were in the process of adopting, but we just couldn’t move forward.

What do you do when you are afraid?  Anxiety means, A state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties. Fear was flat out keeping us from doing the work God had planned in our lives.  We started hanging up verses all over the house.  Our favorite was Philippians 4:6-7 and we claimed that verse and spoke it out loud every chance we had.  There are too many crazy stories to tell you, but when we finally wrote out a check to an adoption agency, AWAA (awaa.org) and filled out the application to start our adoption to China, we were overcome with thrills, chills and slight nausea.  This was it… we knew there was no turning back.  We were surrendering our inconveniences, expectations, dreams, hopes and family to jump in faith and obey God’s voice.  We had to trust He had a plan for our lives that would lead us to a place of peace.

Do you get it?  Adoption picked us.  It picked us and it wrecked our lives for the better.  We are a part of something so much bigger and its not about us. We are crazy in love with our children, advocating for adoption, orphan ministry and encouraging other families to step into the world of adoption or foster care.  At first, we avoided God’s call and then surrendered to His plans.  He never let go of us and He will guide you, too. John 14:18 “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.” He can and will provide for you-and for what He has called you to do.  He never leads us where he will not sustain us- The manna will come!

In an upcoming post, Adoption 101: Joy Opportunity Lost, my hubby and I discuss what happens when you are called to adopt and you miss the opportunity.  This is for the doubters, the stumblers, the procrastinators, the “I’m still think’n about it”, the excuse makers, the runners and the “God, are you talking to me?”  Roger and I tried them all out for many years and I want to help eliminate the danger of you missing out on God-breathed adoption miracles.

I’d love to hear your “Ah Ha” moments when adoption picked you.  Please share your breakthroughs in the comments with me.

Great story of a mom who struggled with the term “just adopt”

Click here to buy your GIVEAWAY tee!!

1 tee = 1 entry to win a mission trip!

I was inspired to make an African inspired tree in honor of our beloved Ethiopia.  It’s a tree in progress, and I hope we can add new decorations every year.  I hung our wooden beads from Addis Ababa and I thought it made the perfect touch.  I’d love to hear what your favorite crazy tree looks like and why it’s so special.

You can purchase Ugandan Acadia beads at Visiting Orphans HERE. They have 9ft. and 13ft. garland beads.  You can give life to orphans and widows in Uganda this Christmas!!

The Journey:

We bounce over rough bare ground that our driver convinces us are actually roads.  Now at a slower pace the crowds of people actually start to notice this large vehicle bounding along.  I catch the eye of a young boy playing with a hoop and stick.  Yes, running along pushing the hoop with a stick.   Thoughts of time travel and Colonial Williamsburg flood my brain but then I catch his fascinated brown eyes.  They grow wide into a fixed stare as they look deeply into mine.  A wide smile emerges displaying his glowing white teeth as we move past.  As my eyes leave his I see his mouth open and hear him shout at the top of his lungs “frenge! frenge! frenge!”  This chant now follows us down the dusty road passed by the yells of children the chant traveling faster then we can traverse down these dusty paths.   With a smirk our driver tells us they are chanting “white person, white person” and adds politely, “they don’t see many of you down here!”   “We are definitely not in Lancaster County, PA anymore” I think as my mind drifts over the past two days.

48 hours ago we were boarding a long awaited plane and flying 15 hours to embrace a member of our family.   For many months now his picture had been hanging in our living room, adorning the fridge, computer screen and practically everywhere else.  We knew his name, Yihun, caught glimpses of his sly personality and ached to be with him.  But we had been separated by time and an ocean both of water and paperwork.   Finally, at last, we were bringing him home.  As romantic as that sounds we were also keenly aware that we were bringing him from his home.  Now only 12 hours after he first leapt into our arms we were leaving him to go and discover the home he was leaving behind.
This ride, that seemed to take an eternity, was delivering us to our little ones past.   The paperwork had shown us the hard facts.  Father: Batiso age 34, Mother deceased, Siblings 3.   Hard facts do not prepare, how can they prepare, for a once in a lifetime meeting with someone to whom you will forever be indebted.
Lost in thoughts, fighting back the butterflies mounting into an army in our stomachs the final few miles drift by.   Without a word of warning the land rover came sliding to a stop.  As the cloud of dust caught up and rolled past we saw the stare of recognition glisten in eyes within the crowd waiting for this moment.    The bright white of exceedingly sad eyes discovered ours and we wondered if we had found Batiso.   We were quickly ushered together into a large meeting room and discover it filled with family; 3 uncles, 1 aunt, 3 siblings, and the sad eyes of Batiso.
The questions came pouring out along with the tears.  What is the meaning of his name? What games did he like to play?  What can you tell us about his mother?  How do you want me to answer his questions of why when he grows up?
The time floated faster than any of us wanted it to and as quickly as it started we were giving final goodbye hugs.  As we held this tall, thin, proud and beautiful man there was only two words we could manage to get out of our trembling lips “Thank you”.  We will never forget that day.
Now two and a half years later that day still enters my memory frequently.  We pray for Batiso and his family, we have pictures of him in our living room.  He is a part of our family in a very real, but very distant way.   I remember when we were first contemplating adding to our family I thought that the adoption journey was going to be about bringing our son home.   When I looked into Batiso’s eyes that day, and when I look at them now in the picture hanging on our wall.  I know that the journey only started that day.
Brad & Kate Aldrich
www.onefleshmarriage.com

Brad & Kate with three kids, Lily, Kent, and Micah Yihun.

Survey for U.S. Adoption Service Providers Placing Children from Ethiopia

The number of adoptions and the number of service providers in Ethiopia has greatly increased in the last few years, and uncertainty about existing laws and inconsistent policy among various agencies has caused confusion within the adoption community. Ethica receives numerous requests for information about agency practices in Ethiopia.

In the interest of advancing transparency in adoptions in Ethiopia, in February 2010, Ethica invited the 24 U.S. agencies that are licensed by the Ethiopian Government to provide information about their Ethiopia program by taking part in a survey.  Agencies were asked to complete all or any portion that they wished of a series of questions about their Ethiopian adoption program.  The deadline to provide responses was extended to March 25, 2010.

Ethica thanks those Adoption Service Providers who took the time to respond to the survey.  Ethica also thanks our volunteer, Andrea, for her tremendous effort in administering the survey.  Survey responses (.pdf)  are listed below by agency name and responses are published as submitted.

• Adoption Advocates International
• All God’s Children International
• America World Adoption Association
• Bethany Christian Services
• Celebrate Children, Intl
• Children’s Home Society and Family Services
• Children’s Hope International
• Children’s House International
• WACAP
• Wide Horizons for Children

I wanted to thank Michelle for sending me this article- Ethica website.

Roger and I would like to share with you today on LIVE how to make memories with your adoptive child.  We have 16 years of practice on making memories count with our 3 kiddos and want to pass on some of the craziness to you.  Please share with readers some of the things you do in your family to build lasting memories.

Vote today to make adoption #1 top mommy blog!!  Click button 2 Vote- that’s it!

This week, will be dedicated to adoption.  Roger and I tackle a few of our favorite adoption topics on video.  Each video segment- Adoption Life LIVE will cover some of the struggles, challenges and joys we have experienced the past two years having Zoie in our family.  Adoption is crazy and we want to offer practical advice from our life that can encourage you in your own adoption adventure.  We are not professionals – just a mom and dad that are passionate about adoption and loving our children.

My awesome hubby Flips his passion about adoption and shares Joy Opportunity Lost, the sequel to Adoption 101: Who Picks Who post.  I really want this week to encourage adoption bloggers.  Please leave your comments and contribute to the 5 Adoption Life LIVE videos and participate in giving adoption support.  Share how adoption has changed YOUR life.

Vote today to make adoption #1 top mommy blog!!  Click button 2 Vote- that’s it!

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!! heeeheeee heee Just Kidding!!!!

Just a little crazy adoption humor for you today!!!

If you still love me and forgive my crazy April Fools joke …. help make adoption #1 top mommy blog!!  We need about 50 clicks to make a big move today!!  This is no joke!  Click this adorable button everyday 2 Vote- that’s it!

My crazy friend Kim is doing a FUNraiser just 4 you!!!!  You can win a big batch of T shirts advocating for orphans & adoption!!  TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO WIN!!  Click and enter right here- CONTEST!!

I want to be your billboard!  I know that sounds a little crazy, but I’m heading to Haiti and want to share your adoption products/orphan T shirts on my blog all week.  Many of you are FUNraising with shirts and I want to help you make a difference.  All you need to do is mail me your donated T shirt or item and add a note with your website or blog URL.  I will feature your products right here on my crazy adoption blog and link readers back to your site.  Also, you can use any photographs with me wearing your shirts or sharing your items in Haiti on your site, too.  This is a fun, unique way for us to promote adoption and advocating for orphans together.

Here is my plan.  I’m blogging compassionately thru Haiti starting April 11th-16th.  Our team of 13 are hand delivering 170,000 meals and 500 pounds of formula (that YOU helped raise)  I want to wear a different adoption/orphan T shirt every day.  If I receive more T shirts than the 6 I can feature each day, I will still show off your shirt in a very creative way (wink)  I will post after I return home from Haiti for 6 days, due to lack of international bloggy juice.

If you are currently FUNraising with T shirts and want me to promote your shirts in Haiti… email me. I will need your T shirts mailed by April 10th.  My size- I wear a Medium if Unisex cut or I wear an XL if slim, women’s cut… just let me know!!  My blog friend, Kelly just suggested donating her Ugandan necklace that she is fundraising with- I asked her if I could wear it and give it to someone I meet in Haiti to encourage her and pray for her.   I will take photos!

Thank you for helping these precious orphans in Ethiopia receive NEW SHOES. The vision trip with Tom Davis and HopeChest is scheduled in April.  I wish like crazy I could join the team, but I will be cheering for the children from home- waiting to see photos and video of the shoe delivery!  We have more photos coming from orphanages in Ethiopia!  Here are a few of the orphans at Kind Hearts receiving shoes from our Valentine’s Day project.

These children are seeing the tangible results of your love, prayers and concern! It is amazing to see the difference in these kids since I was there in December and they were about to close down the school for lack of funding. The children were lethargic and weak with hunger and were only being fed ONE TIME EACH WEEK at Kind Hearts.

You can help make adoption #1 top mommy blog- Click this button everyday 2 Vote- that’s it!

My crazy bloggy friends, I’m taking the next few weeks to update our homestudy for our 2nd adoption.  We had our home visit and are requesting a girl between ages 4-6, but keeping the door open wide up to 10 years old.  There will still be scheduled mommyhood & adoption blog posts, as well as guest bloggers.  Special note: Unfortunately, I won’t be able to respond as quickly to your bloggy emails, due to officially starting my paper-baby pregnancy and need to focus 100% on important documents that will help get the ball rolling.  I call this Trimester 1: Crazy Homestudy (scones help soothe nausea!)

I reallllly love reading your bloggy comments, emails, and responding to your important adoption questions.  I will return back to full speed and will respond to all adoption emails the following weeks ahead, thank you for your understanding.  New readers, I hope you will take some time to go back in time… blast to the past posts.  I started blogging 3 years ago, and have posts that will hopefully inspire you as a momma, perspective adoption family or just getting to know me a little more.

Our Simply Love Shirts are available until April 4th…. end of blitz.  We will continue to keep busy rolling and mailing out T shirts for you.  My family wants to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping support our 2nd adoption! 100% of proceeds goes directly into our adoption account.

Please pray for our family as we start FUNraising for our adoption at crazy speed.  If you want to help support us as we raise the Program Fee- $7,500 we would be very grateful.  I added a ChipIn button on the top right side and will keep you updated on goals.

Talk to you soon…. my crazy adoption starts today!

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Have you ever met someone and you knew instantly it was God ordained.  This is one of the most painful stories I hold in my heart from our time in Ethiopia, but with the blessing of the Joner Family, we want to share their adoption story and celebrate God’s precious love.   It’s a story of pain and joy and miracles.  When we traveled to Ethiopia, we met a beautiful baby girl named Alem that was wrapped up in a blanket cuddled next to Zoie at the Transitional Home.  She and Zoie both had pneumonia and had been in the hospital together.  I was called “Spy Girl” in my adoption circle, so to live up to my name, I took a million photos of all the children waiting for their families at home.  I took so many photos of Alem.  She grabbed my heart… soft black curls, tiny fingers and an angelic face.  Little did I know, her name would be Julia.  I was so excited to show her off to her new parents – photos are priceless treasures.  I’m so honored to introduce you to, Jessica Joner, one of the most remarkable adoptive moms I’ve ever met…. here is her story.

Jessica’s Story:

Even before we were married, we both know that we wanted to adopt some day.  After having our two wonderful boys,  we felt that we were ready to start praying about adopting.  As we prayed about it, we really felt God specifically leading us to adopt from Ethiopia.  Our desire started out as a desire to have another child in our family, and now going through the process, our eyes and hearts have been moved in a big way as we see the desperate need to care for these orphans.

In July, we received our adoption referral for our first daughter, Julia Alem, a beautiful two month-old baby girl who was found abandoned when she was just a few days old.  Our hearts instantly bonded with Julia as we had been praying for over a year for this tiny baby that God had placed in our hearts.  Unfortunately, a few weeks after we received our referral, Julia became very sick with pneumonia and passed away when she was just three months old.

We were overwhelmed with the grief and sadness of losing Julia because our love and bond for her was so great.  Thankfully,  we also felt so much deep joy and peace knowing that we knew exactly where she was, perfect and complete in the arms of Jesus.  We were so blessed to meet Kari who was able to meet Julia and held her in Ethiopia.  She had so many beautiful pictures to share with us.  God, in is His great mercy, blessed us with the referral of our daughter, Jalene.  Amazingly, she shares the exact same birthday as Julia.  Our hearts were instantly in love with our daughter, Jalene.  We brought her home from Ethiopia on Valentine’s day last year.  Jalene is so full of joy and had blessed our family in an incredible way.  Our journey of adoption was not easy, but it was worth every moment in the end.  We feel so blessed to have the privilege of loving two beautiful girls.

Joner Family Adoption “Gotcha Day” Video-

For the past 5 months, I have featured a special adoption family every month that inspire me!  I share their story, their adoption video and inspiring quotes from mom or dad or siblings.  I am praying that more adoptive families join the team and we can start expanding to other countries… from A to Z.  If you are interested in being part of my Crazy Family Adoption Team- I want to show off your family for the entire month. Your video can be a photo slide or combo.  The length does not matter, but as a suggestion- under 5 minuets is ideal. (however, my videos are about 9 min. ha) I need a February Family to step up to the plate and inspire.  Email me.

I want to thank the Alexander family, the Johnson Family, the Oatsvall family, the Rovang family and the Weimer family for allowing me to share your story with my crazy readers.

Here is an example of two types of adoption videos- I create my iDVD videos on MacBook.

Video/Combo-

Photo Slide-

I can create your iDVD adoption videos (PHOTOS ONLY) for $20.00 (includes shipping) Your Crazy Adoption Video. 100% of proceeds will go directly into our adoption account.  Email me.

My Crazy Picks of the Week:

• My friend Nikki – Blogs For A Cause- is one of the craziest coolest chicks I know- take a peek at her blog… One Tiny Starfish
• The best new body scrub- this stuff is crazy… Caress Evenly Gorgeous with burnt brown sugar & Karite butter!
• Here is some beautiful jewelry from Thanda Zulu... All jewelry is handmade by woman in South Africa.  All of the proceeds go back to kids in South Africa.
• The most adorable cookies that I’ve ever seen and can’t take credit for. Stacey from Truly Custom Cakery made the cutest cookies inspired by The Decorated Cookie. These would make terrific cookies for any winter party. Visit her site for detailed instructions. Also visit The Decorated Cookie for more adorable melting snowman cookie instructions.

Snowman Tutorial Part 1 (Cookie Dough)

Snowman Tutorial Part 2 (The Cookie)

Snowman Tutorial Part 3 (The Icing)

Snowman Tutorial Part 4 (Decorating)

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Good morning my crazy readers.  I had a rude awakening at 3 am when my hubby’s cell phone beeped & bounced around on the bathroom sink.  I heard it, but he’s still sleeping soundly.  I tried, really tried to go back to sleep but I started feeling chills, thrills and slight nausea.  My HopeChest Project is over, but it’s really only just begun.  I have never been so excited to post big news than sharing with you that we sold almost 800 T shirts…. they kept rolling in all night.

Chills.

I’ve received lots of emails from last second shoppers and I have to say today- I’m sorry, no more T’s for sale.  HopeChest Valentine’s Day Project is all over till next year.  I talked to Tom’s team and we are already thinking of ideas for a new project and new T shirt.  Last night, I had my first team of crazy friends come over and help me organize, roll, address, stuff and seal up T shirts.  They stormed in my house at 6pm sharp and didn’t leave until the clock struck midnight (well, more like 9, but it was a school night)  Thank you Team Crazy for helping me and making me feel that this will all be a breeze.  It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around how many shirts you purchased for “Shirts For Shoes!”  You know you broke records in a big way.

Thrills.

I feel overwhelmed knowing so many orphans will be blessed with new shoes and new shirts.  I feel slightly overwhelmed making sure you get your T shirts before Valentine’s Day.  I feel overwhelmed doing something so new and so crazy.  My hubby reminded me several times yesterday that the hardest part was selling the T shirts, mailing them out is the easy part.  I mentioned that to my friends last night and their looks told me something different.  Yep- mailing out 800 T shirts in not going to be easy.

Slight nausea.

What can you do to help?  Well, if you live in my neck of the wood… come on over and Rock & Roll with me.  If you don’t, please pray for me.  I need super energy and spunk and lots of scones to make my deadline.  My goal is to have every T shirt in the mail by next Monday.  The Post Office has no idea what is coming soon- one crazy mom with hundreds of packages wrapped up in love.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making our first Project so wildly successful.  I want to thank you for all your emails and cheers in the comments.  I feel renewed and energized and its only 5:27am.

Just a little craziness…

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Hubby and I needed a treat last night, so we grabbed the baby and headed for ice cream. We got home and had a little creamy surprise (this is a first) I wonder what was going on in her cute little head?  This 40 second Flip will make you laugh.

Have a fun Friday…

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