From Lori

Hi there!
Read what this week's mama, Lori, has to say....

The Dangerous Prayer
In so many ways, growing up in church has been a blessing.  I have always been surrounded with Christian friends and people who encourage me in God's Word.  Choosing to hang out with people who believed the same as I do kept me out of a lot of trouble...although not all...and these same people were a strong support during difficult times of my life.  And who could forget Hide and Seek in the dark sanctuary and playing in the baptismal...just don't tell my Mema...I think we were supposed to be straightening the backs of the pews or something!  Don't judge...those were long summer days and we couldn't play in her office!  Most importantly, I grew up knowing about and accepting Christ's love for me and the assurance that I would one day spend eternity in heaven with Him.  Yes, growing up in church has definitely been a blessing.
There can be a down-side, however.  After thousands of sermons and songs, dozens of Bible studies and read thru the Bible plans, multiple retreats and countless prayers, it can all become routine.  Not on purpose, of course.  Somewhere in the busyness of good things, sometimes we lose sight of the best thing...Jesus and His love for us.  Or maybe through hurts and disappointments, our heart hardens.  At that point, what can you read that you haven't already read?  or what can you pray that you haven't already prayed?  How about the "dangerous" prayer?  I don't even know why I prayed it, actually.  But it was something to the effect of, "Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours."  And boy did He!  In a HUGE way...as in an I-can't-get-it-out-of-my-mind kind of way!  I became increasingly aware of about 147,000,000 things that were breaking His heart.  Not things, actually, but children, scattered around our globe, from Vacaville, CA to Qingyuan, China and beyond.  Children that have no one to kiss their boo boos or tuck them in; no one to help them develop their gifts and talents; no one to hug them when they are sad or celebrate with them when they are excited or counsel them when they are struggling with their peers.  And most importantly, no one to teach them about the One who knit them together in their mother's womb and knew them before they were born.  The One who has a purpose and a plan for their very significant lives!
And my. heart. broke...into 147,000,000 pieces!
I knew God was calling me to action, and I could not reason it away or pretend I didn't know what to do about it.  He reminded me in everything from my dreams to TV shows to conversations with friends to BIble verses I would read.  Although 147,000,000 is an overwhelming number, and I cannot make a difference for them all, God has shown me that I can make a difference!  With God's help, we will make that number ONE LESS very soon!

I know in this very broken world there are MANY things that break God's heart.  So I will continue to pray this "dangerous" prayer.  Care to join me?

What Are You Reading?

It's Tuesday and 66 degrees! Our weather is so crazy in the south.

Do you like to read? I do. I love for my children to read, too. So, I was excited to receive this book in the mail...you can read my blog to find out who gave it to me.

I hope it's good!

I also want to buy this one....I read a few pages on Amazon and it looks really cute.  

It even has a recipe for Bee-bim Bop.  So fun!

What about you? Any recommendations?

Have you given to the Saylors this week? Go ahead, if not--they are traveling soon to bring Mycah home.

New Week--Meet The Saylors!

Hey there, you! Thank you for checking in.....we have a family of the week for you to support! So, welcome the Saylors to the Give1Save1 Asia blog by giving and sharing their story!
The Saylors (<<read their blog) are a military family with 3 kiddos at home and one 4 year old son waiting in China.  They will be traveling soon to bring him home! Wanna help?? Click the donate button....they will be very thankful!

The Saylors are very ready to bring Mycah home.  Watch their video....I love it!

 You love them, too, don't you?  Go ahead and give and tell your friends about them, too!

Have a wonderful week!

A Word from Katie

Hi there.....thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you're having a great week!
Here's a word from Katie.....by the way, Katie will be traveling SOON (very soon, hopefully!) to bring her baby boy home! Yayyy!

Lingo

The language of international adoption is just about as foreign as the languages that our children come to us speaking.  When I first joined a few adoption groups I spent most of the time googling acronyms or words I’d never heard of before in my life. I finally swallowed my pride and just asked. Frankly, I’m still asking! Heads up to all agencies out there…you should hand every adoptive parent a list of these.

I’m in the waiting child program with China, so I’m curious to know what the other countries have in their bag of tricks. Enlighten us and share your own acronyms.

Here is how a normal conversation between adoptive parents in China groups goes. Hold onto your seats, it might get bumpy…

Where are you in your adoption?

Well, we already have PA and our SW completed our HS. So, we are waiting on our FP appointment. How about you?

We don’t have our referral yet,  so DH and I are waiting and already have been DTA and DTC. We are waiting for LOA.

Are you OOT yet?

We don’t know, but we are TOW!

            Don’t I know. BTDT!

Get the idea?  Let me help a little bit and add a few more to the mix.

PA- Pre approval

SW- Social worker

HS- Home study

FP- Fingerprinting

DH- Dear Husband

DTA- Dossier to Agency

DTC- Dossier to China

LOA- Letter of Acceptance (also LSC, Letter seeking confirmation)

OOT- Out of Translation

TOW- Tired of Waiting J

BTDT- Been there done that

TA- Travel Approval

PPR- Post placement report

CA- Consulate appointment

C- China

  

When your friends talk to you and slip and use some AP (adoptive parent) language now you’ll be able to catch a few of these language barriers.

What are some fun acronyms from the other Asian countries out there?  China can’t be the only group having all the fun!

                                                 {Katie}

                                        

Sunday Sharing!

  

Hello, good friends!  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you're having a great weekend.  We are having nearly perfect weather, so I enjoyed some time outside with my boys this afternoon.  Now I'm drinking coffee.  And now it's a perfect day.

Since we don't have a new family this week (but we will next week, so stay tuned!)  I'm leaving the donate button up for the Cheathams.  They're adopting 2 beautiful children  (a boy and a girl) from China and are traveling very soon, so feel free to give to them this week, too.  Also, last week's family, the Rylands {also adopting 2 boys from China} have been given extra time to meet another matching grant.  Sooo, I'm encouraging you to donate to them, too.  (Remember, you can  donate on their blog--they have a donate button, too!)   If you already have, that's fine--you can do it again;)

Here are some links to my own fundraisers...you know, since I'm adopting, too!  You can visit me at  my personal blog,  Peaceloveandcaffeine.    You can also shop through Zoe Clothing (just type "garrick" at checkout) or through my link at She Does Justice. (<<happened to be started by last week's family on the Africa page)

 You can find very cool handmade products there.

        I love what these both of these companies stand for.  Businesses for good.  LOVE.   Do you have anyone you want us to learn about? Small business, non profits, etc?   

OK, ready for an update?  Remember the Tuckers? They came home last week with BOTH of their       babies and YOU were part of their journey.  We're grateful for you. Be sure and check out our other pages, too---we're one big family here!

Have a wonderful week, friends!

Tuesday With The Cheatham Fam!

Hi there.....how's the weather where you are? It's cold and wet here! But still no snow.....pooey.
Have you given to the Cheatham family yet?  No? Go ahead and do that.  Be sure and watch their video in yesterday's post, too. They're adopting 2 babies...double the fun!

Have you ever checked out Spoon Foundation? They exist to help parents of adopted and foster children with specific nutritional needs.  They have info about several different countries on their site and help explain how to transition your child to a new diet.  You should go take a look. 

Here's hoping we get to build a snow man soon! Happy Tuesday!

New Week-Meet the Cheathams!

 Hello there, friends.  I hope 2013 is off to a great start for you! It's rainy and cold here...fingers crossed for snow!  We don't see it very often in the south--my boys want a snow day!

Quick explanation for our newbies.....our family of the week is adopting and we're here to support them because it's EXPENSIVE. So, check back here weekly and see who you can bless.  It's super fun and easy! Your donation goes straight to their PayPal account.   And believe me, it's very appreciated.  

Now it's time to meet the Cheathams.  Jess and Blake, married for 15 years,  are adopting 2 babies from China! A boy and a girl, both under age 3.  Sooo fun!  You're going to love them, so take a look at their video and then hit the donate button...maybe twice for both of their kids;)  

                                                     

You can use the button on the side or you can click here.  We're not picky!   

The 2 newest Cheathams-Violet and Jin- will be coming home from China soon.  Mom and Dad are READY--they've been waiting a while for their babies!  I know you want to help, so go ahead and donate to them now. One more favor...  share this page on your own Facebook, blog and Twitter.  You can learn more about them on their blog, too.

Thanks so much for giving to the Cheathams! Like us on Facebook--we post there regularly, too.
Check back here later for updates--have a great week, everyone!

                                                        

Among Friends

Good morning! The Rylands are having a great week, thanks to you! Hear from Katie today...

Seriously? What can I say. I love this crazy family. I first saw their story on youtube (I think). It was that funny video they did and posted over here on Give1Save1. Then I bumped into them through some adoption boards. Then I realized they were in my China adoptions facebook group. Every time I have “bumped” into them it has encouraged me.

Their faith and love for adoption pours into all that they do. Here they are, ready to go back through another adoption. The first adoption is terrifying. The fears, the doubts and questions are mind numbing. If you survive without being committed to an institution it’s a miracle. If you choose do it again, just face it you should be committed! 

Their sweet, sweet son who was instrumental in their decision to adopt again has started his own blog. Don’t you love to see how these kiddo’s are adjusting? I love that he is willing to give us a glimpse into his life. Check it out at http://www.lifeasanadoptedteen.blogspot.com/ . I love that he also has it written in Chinese characters!

Isn’t funny how you just know when they are yours? I mean out of hundreds of faces you see all of a sudden you find yourself in that heart stopping moment of thinking, “that’s my child!” Sometimes like the Rylands you aren’t even looking to adopt again. Read here how they discovered Cooper http://rylandsfamily.blogspot.com/2012/05/cooper-rylands.html  and please go here http://rylandsfamily.blogspot.com/2012/10/introducing-connor.html  to read the sweetest story of how Colin was the catalyst to their decision to add Connor to their family!

The sacrifices made during an adoption are huge. You save every penny you possibly can, feel guilty for every penny spent and pray that God will make up the difference. The truth is that God is in it all along. Our worries, our fears are for nothing. He is handling it even when we can’t see how. Right now this family is trusting that God is making up the difference.

You don’t have to give. You can choose not to. You can decide they are just plain old crazy and hop back to your facebook world. But I promise you that you are missing out on an incredible journey. I for one cannot wait to see these boys with this family, going from orphans to sons, making a huge mess, leaving socks all over the floor, learning about love and learning that God loves them without reservation. I want to be a part of that.  Don’t you? A few dollars makes a huge dent in those adoption payments when we all choose to help. I’m game. How about you?

                                             ---love, Katie

*when you donate, their email address says "tommysfolks", so you're in the right spot!*

C4C? Zoe Tees?

Hey there! Are you going to the Created 4 Care Conference this month?  If so, look us up! Steph  (Africa page)  and I will be exhibiting, so we'd love to meet you! 
They're full for January, but there's a March conference, too.....check out the waiting list.  I'm excited!

                                                             

Need a cute adoption tee for someone? Or yourself??   How about a Valentine's gift??  You can shop Zoe Clothing and support our adoption. This link will take you there--just type in "garrick" at checkout.   They have some cuuuute clothes!  Many thanks!
                                
Zoe Clothing is a cool company-check them out! I think you'll like them.  And, they have a store in SoCal now!  
Thanks for the love, givers!
                                                  

Thanks for showing the Rylands so much support! They're close to meeting their $1000 match!

Monday Update (Already?! Yep!)

Good morning, givers!  You have been busy, haven't you!  The Rylands have been on the blog less than 24 hours and have already raised  $536!! What, what??? That's amazing!  You are amazing.  Haven't given yet?  Just click the donate button and get in on the FUN!

I can't wait to update you again----happy Monday! 

                                                     

New Year, New Family--The Rylands!

Welcome to the Give1Save1 Asia blog!  This is what we do....we ask you to give $1 and share this page on your own Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.  It's a share-a-thon! We feature an adoptive family for 1 week and let you bless their socks off.  It's super easy and super fun!  We would love to see you every week! You need Paypal to participate. If you don't have one, we'll wait while you set it up......

Okay. Now it's time to welcome the RYLANDS family!  Our first family of 2013-yayyy!   They are no strangers to adoption.  The Rylands are adopting their 4th and 5th sons from China.  That's right,  2 more boys-ages 9 and 13!  They will be welcomed by 3 brothers  (one biological son and 2 sons from China) and their parents, Tom and Angie.  This is definitely a boy house!  Read more about their journey here.  AND, even better is that their money raised -up to $1000.00- through Give1Save1 ASIA this week will be matched by another ministry--Journey Together Ministry.  A double blessing for this family!

Take a minute to watch this video....and get ready to laugh. These boys are in for loads of fun!

Wasn't that fun??  This family's a trip.....are you ready to give to them? Right now, they need $12,000  and are grateful for everything that you give.   Remember, your gift will be doubled, so let's start the year off right.  Adopting 2 children at one time is expensive!!  But such a blessing!
Click the big donate button to the right (where you will be directed to their blog to donate using the YELLOWISH DONATE BUTTON--we're flexible, right?)  or DONATE here.

Thanks, all!  We love comments, too! Let's show the Rylands some love today! Have a great week and know that your generosity is appreciated!!
                                                

Thank YOU!

Welcome! Thank you for stopping by today.

A note from a past Give1Save1 Asia mama, Sandy Kreps...

"We are so thankful for the support that Give1Save1Asia offered our family. In a day and age that grants are hard to come by - support from Give1Save1Asia and it's donors meant a lot to our family. We dream of a day that those who support adoption can work together hand in hand - some families offering to be a forever family and other families offering to financially make that possible, but until that day organizations like Give1Save1Asia offer families hope. Sandy (mom to seven including Darren our newest blessing from China). www.ourjourneyoffaithtochina.blogspot.com"

You were a part of their story, so thank you.

I look forward to kicking off 2013's families next week!  Happy Thursday, everyone!

New Everything

Hi there! Happy 2013!  I barely made it in time for a new year post-- I've been out of town for Christmas and with work.  (in St. Louis where it is waaayyy colder than Mississippi)  We had a nice holiday.  Did you?

Don't you love the new year? A brand new start.  Time to get rid of the old (junk/habits/stress/guilt) and welcome in the new.  Have you made any resolutions, plans.....set goals? Because you can, you know.  I believe in you.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  

2 Corinthians 5:17 

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-24

Let's make this a year of new life.  Whatever it is that you need to let go of, do it now. Time to start moving ahead with the life God intends for you.

Happy New Year!!

--Tonya

*new family next week! check back Sunday.*