Our First Order

I will be placing our first order with 147 Millions Orphans on Monday! Let me know if you want anything! Check out the merchandise on their website or on my previous blog post.

*Remember that only the items under Adoption Fundraising Gear will go towards Baby Thompson :)

* Under each item there are descriptions and details listed!

We are sooo grateful for everyone who has already placed an order! We really appreciate it more than you know!!

100.

I saw today on Facebook that there are 100 days until Christmas!! I looooove Christmas!! I have already starting thinking of things I want! Here is a sneak peak at my Christmas list:

Luke 1:3

I have had to answer the question of why we choose Ethiopia a lot. Honestly I don't mind, I just didn't really know a straight black and white answer. I mean the statistics for this country are staggering, but so are other countries. I know what initially introduced me to Ethiopia was that Ryan and I met the requirements for this country. Some countries have some strannnnnge requirements. Head on over here to see for yourself. So we involuntarily had our country choices cut down. Then I found myself on tons of Ethiopian adoption blogs. The children were just beautiful. I told Ryan about it and we eventually agreed this was the country our child would come from. I say eventually because (being totally transparent here) we were a little nervous about becoming a biracial family. We don't know anyone with this kind of family and it was intimidating. However, we both were in agreement with the fact that we couldn't run from God's calling because of different skin colors.

Now I say all of this with still not really answering WHY? Why not America? Why not Korea? Why not Honduras? Why not _____? My answer in my heart is always it just feels right. I thought this was kind of a silly and not sufficient answer until I went to the Beth Moore Simulcast on Saturday. She spent the majority of the time talking about Luke.  I wish I could tell you all the statistics she mentioned about Luke, but I didn't write them down so I don't remember them. BUT I can tell you that Luke wrote two books of the bible. Luke 1:1-4  "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."  Basically Luke just thought it sounded like a good idea to write a book. That book is part of our God's Living Word.  Yep. I was pretty excited to hear Beth Moore point that out. Sometimes it doesn't take flashing lights or and audible voice to know and do what God has planned for you to do. Sometimes it can just feel right, or like a good idea. 

I am so grateful that I didn't run from this good feeling because even though we are at the first part of our adoption, it has been amazing. I can't wait to see what is to come!!

147 Million....

147 MILLION. That is A LOT of orphans in the world. Let's make a difference!
Ryan and I are doing our first fundraiser and we are partnering with the organization 147 Million Orphans. They sell clothes, jewelry, and merchandise and we get a portion to go towards our adoption! Yahh win-win!

Here is how it works:
1. You pick out whatever you want to buy.
2.Place your order through me.
3. Email me with the style, size, and quantity of what you want to buy. arin19@aol.com
4. I have to place the order to get the credit, so you'll have to pay me for your purchase.
5. When I get an order of $100 I will send in the order. (I have $40 so far...)

You can check out all the fundraising merchandise here. They have lots of cool stuff that doesn't go towards the adoption but does go to other great charities! *If you order it online, that is awesome for the charaties, but we will not get an credit for your purchase. I have to do the order.

Here are some items that would go towards our adoption:

$19.95

"We are proud to donate to Amazima Ministries and the wonderful women of the Karamojong tribe.  The Karamojong women create these beautiful necklaces by hand and from re-cycled paper … Our goal is to help these women maintain sustainable income for their families … We will be purchasing these necklaces from them and also sending 50%+ of the profits back to a feeding program run by Katie Davis.  It is a beautiful full circle story of the body of Christ."

$19.95

"This super soft shirt delivers a clear message, and it is a great shirt for the summer and fall."

$34.95

 

                                                                        $34.95

This shirt says it all. Our signature baseball tee with kelly green sleeves is back! And this time has the purpose of helping fundraising families bring their children home. The bold scripture on the front, James 1:27, and the message on the back, "Helping One Home" easily explains our mission. By purchasing this shirt through our website, we will donate 50% of the profits to adoption grants.

$34.95

"'WILL BE YOUR "GO TO" BUTTERY SOFT TEE ... Vintage baseball burn-out / 50% ringspun cotton, 50% polyester; extensively weathered, sheer fabric for vintage look; one-of-a-kind pilling and striation; regular fit; side seamed; 3/4 raglan sleeves; fabric-dyed, enzyme/silicone finish; merrowed bottom hem; 1x1 burnout rib collar'"

Paper Pregnant

Man oh man! We are getting so much done with our homestudy paper work!! I plan on knocking out everything that needs to be scanned tonight and finishing up our homestudy questionnaire. This 5 page billion question questionnaire really intimitated me, but alas I am almost finished!! Yippeee!! I was dreading starting it until one of my friends mentioned how fun it sounded. Her perspective really helped me get excited about answering personal questions about my childhood, family, marriage, and transracial family opinions!! Thanks Kristen :)  The past few days I felt overwhelmed about all we had left to do because I want to get it done ASAP. I asked for prayer from our women's bible study and you wouldn't believe how relaxed I feel tonight!  I am just so excited about becoming a mommy to a sweet little Ethiopian!! I saw a blog last night of an orphanage in Rwanda and they people are just beautiful. I am know Rwanda and Ethiopia aren't the same country, but it sure did make me bubble with excitement!! Check out the Rwanda orphanage at Pure and Lasting.

Labor Day Vacation....Oxymoron??

 

Fenway Park, City Park, Harvard

 

Clam Chow-da

 

Welcome Home!!! <3 the Cellar. 

I, too have seen.

I strive to die to myself daily.

I struggle with materialism.

I have seen.

I am not alone.

I was forever change by Haiti. by Jamie Ivey