Sacrifice brings Blessings

Each one of my children have come to our homes through Faith.

Having our first child was frightening and exciting at the same time, so many wonders crossed my mind, so many worries, but most of them have not come true.

The surprise in this adoption is HOW MUCH Opposition we have encountered. We have nay-sayers who have pleaded we give-up, we have strangers criticize our need to fund raise, we have emotional issues that have surfaced and dragged us to our knees, today I spent time in reflection, trying to see what lesson I have missed. (Or rather what lessons I have need to learn)

The answer is this: Satan Does Not Want Adoptions to Move Forward.

He is the Father of all Lies, He is the Father of all Discouragement, and the Father of all Despair.

Satan is the great oppressor, he wants children to be lonely, he desires homes to be broken, he wants us to GIVE UP.

the LAST thing he wants is for children to be honored and protected, he hates to see them nurtured and loved.
he seeks to destroy hope, faith and love, so during every step of this journey, we have been barraged with chaos, pain, destruction, and hurt.

Within 72 hours of bringing Peter home, our family vehicle was totaled.  The insurance did not cover a replacement.

Then over the course of the next several weeks, we had :
the Washing machine break, thrice, the dryer went out, dishwasher stopped working, the radiator exploded, the tire on the NEW vehicle (brand new tires) EXPLODED damaging the side wall of the family vehicle, we had more visits to the ER in these 3 months than we have in 10 years.

Every time I turn around we have a new obstacle,  and we have had to be more flexible, humble, pliable, and return frequently to our knees.

IT has been the hardest undertaking of my life, maybe all trials while we are in them feel like the hardest, but a life is on the line, and there is no QUITTING, there is no way we can GIVE UP, or change our minds.

We are in it for ETERNITY.

and no matter how often we must turn to our rice & bean menu, we will endure, we will go without,  this season, and no frivolous expenses.

What could be more worth it than this...............

Ups & Downs

The kids and I had a down day yesterday. My oldest daughters dear friend is moving out of the state, and this leaves her without any peers nearby. Her friend made a SUPER SWEET (tear-jerker) gift and delivered it.  It is a bulletin board of TONS of the pictures of their happy days together, my daughter added the photo of them together in 2006 when we arrived and first met.

Later last night my business partner and I discussed the INCREDIBLE opportunity that he has been given, and we talked about the logistics of getting him moved out of state.

In all, our closest circle of friends and associates are moving in what feels like an Exodus.

It was a rough day.

Just as I was about to retire for the night, I saw an email, it was a TOTAL surprise from a Stranger-turned-friend and I will share it with you here,

"A couple months ago we did a promotion to help the Gordon family adopt Peter, an orphan from Liberia.

 

Thanks to your generosity, the promotion far exceeded our expectations and the Gordons are closer than ever to meeting their goal.

 

The Gordons just need $1,760 more to meet their goal of raising $16,000 to adopt Peter.

 

It's been a long, tough, and emotionally exhausting journey for them.

 

They're so close, and I'm confident we can put them over the top.

 

So here's the deal: For anyone who donates just $10 or more to their adoption fund, we'll send you a FREE manifesto of your choosing (excluding the personalized Family Manifesto). We'll even cover the shipping costs.

 

How to Get Your FREE Manifesto:

1. Visit the Gordon's website, scroll down the page and find the yellow "Donate" button on their right sidebar below the video.
   
2. Click the "Donate" button and follow the process to donate $10 or more.
3. Once you've donated, complete the form on this page and tell us which manifesto you'd like us to send you (excluding the personalized Family Manifesto).

Yes, we trust you. 

We need just 176 people to donate $10 and Peter's adoption will be secured.

 

You're going to feel great for a long time after helping Peter secure a loving home. Not to mention you're going to love your free manifesto.

 

In case you have trouble finding the "Donation" button on the Gordon's website:

 

 

 

Click the video to learn more about Peter's story:

 

 

 

 

Life Manifestos, 2424 Roundabout, Round Rock, TX 78664-6205, USA "

the sweet nectar of life is accompanied by hard trials and ONLY through the cycles of ups & downs do we carve out who we TRULY are.

I am SO BLESSED to have met Stephen Palmer, and his long-distance support has meant SO MUCH to me.

The efforts he has taken to make our journey have been HUGE.

One person CAN make a difference.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, the words seem so hollow in comparison to the emotions that accompany it, THANK YOU once again.

Dee

Enjoy the Sweet life

Peter has been home for 5 months. He has grown, and learned so many things, when he first arrived he reacted so peculiarly to a kiss, at first he would recoil, then he would open his mouth (much like a new baby learns to kiss) and then he started puffing when we kissed him, with 9 people in the house, he has had LOTS of practice kissing!!

Now, it melts my heart to see how he reacts to the family, he leans in all puckered up for a kiss, and he repeats it over & over. (as do the rest of my kids, especially Rubi the 9 year old, I have Very affectionate kids!)

(He is not in love with sweets, and although he tries them every time, his face shows how little he thinks of our sugary treats!)

Seeing him learn how our family shows affection, and learning so quickly the expectations of our household, I cant help but wonder what could be possible for this sweet boy!

I am deeply and eternally grateful for the support and love I have seen shown to Peter.

Thank you for accepting, loving and including my boy into your hearts. Thank you for sharing his story, and for allowing us this precious gift. He is so beautiful, he is so sweet, and he is so loved.

THANKS to the Cameron Pool Lifeguards.

We took the kids swimming. Peter is a bit of a Celebrity at the pool.

ALL the guards play with an interact with him, many of them are learning sign so they can communicate with him.
Slide Show
It is ALWAYS a joy to see them light up when we arrive.

They gave me an envelope with $85 in it for Peter's Adoption fund. Thanks you guys. Your AWESOME!

When enough is enough

Please go to this blog and read this adoptive mothers words. They touched me.