{Adoption Awareness Month} ENCOURAGE

Encouragement is so very important. I didn't realize how much so until I was overseas, on the other side of the world, by myself, loving on sweet orphans. You have no idea what it meant to receive letters, packages, and emails of encouragement from friends. They were loving me and supporting me from far away. Being overseas can be very lonely and I can't tell you the number of times I would receive an email, letter, or package from someone just letting me know that they were thinking of me, and they would usually arrive just when I needed them most!

Do you know someone who is living overseas? Send them a quick email to let them know that you are praying for them and thinking of them!

Send them a package! I love, love, LOVED receiving packages from friends back home. Ask them what they would like in it. There may be some candy, baking supplies, candles, etc. that they are missing from home and would love to receive. I know one of my favorite care package items were candles. Especially around the holidays when you are missing home! Shipping overseas can be expensive, so go in with someone else to bring a little "taste of home" to friends overseas.

Send letters! Just a little note of encouragement can go a long way. Emails are great but there is just something extra special about receiving a hand written note. And let's be honest, receiving mail is just so much fun!

Do you know a family who is adopting? Adoption is hard, friends. Really hard. Not just financially but emotionally and even physically. Again, send them a note, email, or text to let them know you are thinking of them.

Do they live nearby? Make a dinner (it is especially nice when it is something that can be frozen in case they have other meals already planned or given!) and drop it off. There is such an important period of attachment between the child and new family so don't stay, but leaving a dinner for them would be greatly appreciated.

Offer to watch other children they have so that the parents can spend lots of time bonding with their new child.

Offer to shop for groceries or other things like diaper and formula they may need.

I have a lot of photographer friends out there. Offer to take pictures for free for a new adopted child's family. Maybe capture some moments at the airport when they arrive home with their new child or a few months later, offer to take some family pictures!

Friends, there are so many ways we can bless families who are in the adoption process. Let's be a blessing to them!

{Adoption Awareness Month} GIVE

To continue in my series for National Adoption month, today I am talking about giving.

Giving can be interpreted in many ways. It could be the giving your time, your talents, or of your resources. In this case, I am talking about giving of your finances. Maybe you aren't in a place or a position to go. But you still want to make a difference and play a role in the miracles that are unfolding! You can GIVE!

There are some great organizations working with orphans from all over the world. If you don't give to an individual, then give to the general fund for some of these organizations!

New Day South Foster Home

Dillon International

Show Hope

Want to give something to an orphan for Christmas this year? Find out more info here.

There are so many ways you can GIVE. You have no idea what a difference you can make.

He Writes the Best Stories

God truly writes the best stories ever. E.V.E.R. My Sweetheart left to join her adoptive family on Monday. I mentioned at the end of my post last week about how even though it was the end of this chapter, it is also only the beginning. The Lord in His great grace and mercy has allowed me to have such a special relationship with Sweetheart's family. Her Mom has become one of my dearest friends and her family has graciously accepted me into their family as well! Who would have thought that all those hours spent praying over this sweet life and her family, that I would have the blessing to continue to be a part of her life and her family? Only God..... only God. 

Sweetheart's family is still nearby finishing up her adoption and I was given the blessing of spending the weekend with her sweet family. What a blessing to see how well this cutie is doing with her new family. I know I keep saying it, but only God. 

This is only the beginning of many more memories to come. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Day 16 of Thankfulness: Technology

I am thankful for technology.

Without technology, I would probably not be able to do what I am doing today. I would not be able to communicate with my family as regularly as I do now and I don't think I could handle that. It allows me to keep in touch with friends and family back home as well as what is going on in the world. Technology can certainly be a distraction but it can also be a blessing, especially when you live on the other side of the world.

Day 1 of Thankfulness: My Parents

I am thankful for my parents.

There is so much to be thankful for and as I have been thinking about this, two people come to mind. My Mom and Dad. I have been blessed with amazing parents. Parents who love me, encourage me to go where God is leading, and will stand with me no matter what I decide to do. My parents are my biggest support system. When I first felt called to China, it was very hard for them, but they knew that God was calling me and they have supported me through it all.

As I look back on the last year and a half and all that has happened, I can’t help but smile when I think of my parents. I have grown so much through this experience, but so have they. And we have grown together. I am so blessed that I have not only supportive parents, but Godly parents. Parents that will pray for and with me and encourage me in Christ. We have drawn closer this last year a half and I know that all the praise and honor goes to God and God alone. I love that I can call, text, or email them to pray for me and I know that they will.

They are such a blessing to me and I love them so very much. 

In Person

Those of you who are "bloggers" are part of the "blogging community." 

Which means if you are anything like me, you "meet" people through their blog from all over the world. 

It's pretty neat how a common interest can bring you together.

And then, if you have a connection with adoption and/or the foster home, you have yet another connection.

I have wonderful friends from all over the US whom I have never met in person.

Many of those connections are connected to China adoption (surprise, I know) in some way, shape, or form.

The really wonderful thing about being located where I am in China, is that the US Consulate is about an hour and a half away in Guangzhou.

ALL the families from the US who are adopting, HAVE to make a stop there to obtain their child's visa before they head home.

Where I am is the perfect location to meet some of my adoption friends and have been blessed to meet several of them on this side of the world.

As much as I love being friends over the internet, there is something about meeting them in person that makes it so special.

Yesterday I got to meet a dear friend of mine whom I have emailed with for years.

What a blessing it was to meet her, her husband, and newly adopted son!
And to think we all come together over this passion of adoption.
I love it.