Doctor, Doctor...

I called pediatricians (well, really only one) today. She comes highly recommended by my amazing sis who uses her for her kids. She wasn't accepting new patients at this time, but said that she would be happy to take a look at our referral once we receive it. I also spoke with Paula (our Parents-as-Teachers representative) a while back and she's going to look over the paperwork, as well. I'm expecting some developmental delay, and even minor to moderate health concerns, but we just want to make sure that we're being proactive and facing any obstacles head-on. We want to give this child the best possible start in life, and though we know that the caregivers at the orphanage are doing an amazing job looking after our child until he/she can be home with us, there's no replacement for a family.

We're getting ready for you little one. We can't wait until you're finally home with us!

Guess What?

We're number...

five

Watoto Restore Tour

I don't think that my friend, Charity Gray, would mind me borrowing her post. If you would like to read more about how Charity is trying to help Watoto save the children of Uganda, check out her blog at http://myjourneywiththefather.blogspot.com or you can also read more about Watoto on their website http://www.watoto.com/.


On Friday evening, October 15th, the Watoto Restour Tour will be at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, MO at 7:00pm. This group from Uganda will include children who were kidnapped from their homes when they were as young as five years old and forced to serve in the Lords Liberation Army (LRA). The children were forced to kill even some of their own family members and girls were forced to become "wives" of soldiers. These children have escaped the LRA and Watoto has found them in displacement camps with tremendous needs. They desperately need help because they are now outcasts in their homeland because of the things they were forced to carry out. Watoto has provided counselors to assist them work through the tremendous psychological damage they have suffered and is teaching them about God's love and forgiveness. Also, Watoto is doing occupational training with them so they will have a skill to be able to financially provide for themselves and their children. I want to officially invite you to this event. I wholeheartedly believe your spirit will be touched as you hear their stories. The event is free of charge. There will be a love offering taken if you desire to make a financial contribution to this ministry. It is recommended that children under the age of 12 do not attend due to the sensitive nature of what the children have experienced. If you desire more information and desire to come, please contact me for more information. God Bless!

Free Missions Trip to Ethiopia

Some amazing things are being done in the name of Christ to help orphans and the destitute worldwide. This is one of the reasons why I have come to love my partners in the adoption world.
One example is Kari from My Crazy Adoption. She lives in Southwest Missouri, just like yours truly. She's leading a missions trip to Ethiopia in February and is sponsoring another person to go with her. Let me say that again, a FREE missions trip to Ethiopia!!! Best of all, if you're unable to go or do not feel lead to go, then you can nominate a friend...no pressure (me, me, me- pick me!). :)

Giveaway Rules:
1. To enter this giveaway you must purchase a Simply Love Tee shirt on My Crazy Adoption Store starting 10/6/10 through 10/28/10. 1 entry per shirt… the amount of entries is up to you!! You can enter to win… even if you are already signed up for one of her mission trips in 2011. You automatically register for the contest when you order a tee shirt- you can also leave her a note on the products page “Personalize your product” box when you check out. If you are entering someone else to win the trip- if you are the winner, she will work out all the details!

2. Payment will go directly to Visiting Orphans for the winner’s scholarship prize. Additional funds raised will be donated to Project 61, Visiting Orphans Ministry, as well as donations for orphans.

(That's me modeling this Tee)

3. The winner will be randomly selected (drawing will be video taped) on 11/2/10 to announce the winner. She will also select two alternative winners.

4. To save every penny, shirts will be ordered in bulk after the giveaway ends. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.


5. No refunds. Exchanges available if size in stock.

I ordered this one for me and...

This one for Liam (on the back it reads, "MAN UP: Protect and Love the Fatherless.")

A bit of speculation...

So this is COMPLETE speculation, but I think we may unofficially be number 5 on the waitlist. On Tuesday, I read on the new Holt Ethiopian blog that they had received 5 children (releases) in their care center (3 of which are waiting children=special needs, so that leaves 2 for the regular referral list). Then yesterday, one of the families that was number 2 on the waitlist came forward to say that they had received a referral on Monday. They had specified that they wanted a boy or twins (their referral was for a 5 month old boy). The family that was in front of them (#1) also specified that they want a boy. So, I'm thinking, if number 2 got a referral for a boy, then number 1 must have also, because they had the same criteria. If the other referral would have been for a girl, then the boy referral would have gone to the first family. So, if 2 referrals have been given out this week, then that means that we're number 5! Yeah!!!! Let's pray this is the case. I'll find out our "official" number at the end of next week when they update the list.

Message of Hope

I have to tell you that I LOVE our adoption agency. Just a bit of information about Holt International for all of you that are interested. Holt International was founded more than 50 years ago by Harry and Bertha Holt who lived in a small rural town in Oregon. Through the news they learned of the plight of Korean orphans left homeless and parentless due to the Korean War. They first sent money, but soon realized that God was convicting them to do more. So Harry traveled to South Korea and brought back 8 Korean orphans to raise! Now if you can imagine 1954, there was no such thing as international adoption (Holt International is the first international adoption agency). What bravery this decision must have taken! Through the years, they helped to pass the first ever international adoption laws in our country.

Holt's primary mission is to work in countries around the world to PRESERVE families. Where they can, they help families by providing them with nutritious food and medical care, not to mention other resources. Only when it is necessary, do they place children with families overseas. This was one of the main reasons why Liam and I were drawn to Holt. We didn't want to be part of an organization that is primarily interested in money generated by international adoption, or as some corrupt adoption agencies have been guilty, money generated from the selling of children.

I've decided to dedicate a post each month to helping others learn more about this amazing organization (mainly through some of the videos that Holt has released). If you are interested in adoption (either domestic or international), please consider Holt International- you can click on the link at the top left-hand corner of my blog to go to their homepage. If adoption is not in your future, then there are wonderful sponsorship programs and other ways to give.

4 months

Well, we've officially been waiting for a referral for 4 months and 2 days. Holt says to expect a 3-6 month wait from the time that you turn in your dossier to the time that you get a referral, so I'm not complaining. I know that the Horton's posted that they had waited 4 months for a referral and then 8 days later, they got the referral for Malachi. So, let's hope that this post has the same effect on us and that we won't be posting a month from now that we've been waiting for 5 months. Come on Baby Robinson. We can't wait to see your gorgeous face!

*I'm hoping that this 4-leaf clover will bring us luck. I should be able to claim "The Luck of the Irish" through marriage at least, right?