A Reason to Celebrate...

Sevi is home!

We were in country for two weeks. My husband was with us for the first week, then returned home while Gabby, Sevi and I got to know each other better and the people and culture of the DR Congo. Everything went smoothly and we had great support from both our agency's staff and in-country representatives. Two great children have been added to our home this past year. We are so thrilled to have the privilege to parent these kids and be connected to a country we once knew so little about, that now has a permanent place in our hearts. 

 The three of us was so happy to be together again:)

Sevi meeting her niece:)

We have a lifetime of gratitude to God and family, friends and strangers, for bringing this precious girl home. 

Beth

Sevi Katherine is On Her Way Home...

We arrived in Kinshasa September 9th and will be home in just a few days! 

So Much Catching Up To Do...

There is much news but time is very limited! Stay tuned!

Here's a few snap shots to hold you over:

Will be back soon to fill you all in,

Beth

Getting Comfortable with Being Me and My Beliefs

You're probably wondering what the title of this blog post has to do with adoption. Stick with me for a few minutes and I'll try to explain.

Even though Im forty six and  come off as " got it all together", strong, and confident,  fact is... I'm not. I second guess myself often because I want to do what's right, say what's right and I'm very aware I don't know always know what that is by simply looking back over my forty plus years and seeing the evidence of my ignorance.

So I hedge and I run more than I stand and fight to live and teach what I believe out of fear of being ostracized and out of fear of being wrong. Now here is where I'm going to tie in this odd post with adoption: I have strong feelings about adoption. And I have found that adoption is not embraced by lots of people who can be pretty cutthroat and certain they are right and I am wrong for brining someone else's child into my home. Their reasons are vast, and since I have done two adoptions back to back I have seen and witnessed those who object and even those who say they are for adoption but actions say otherwise.

It sent me into a tailwind of emotions and thoughts. And as I've gone inward and outward sorting this all out for myself I've come to the conclusion that I live and speak MY convictions and beliefs and should exercise the freedom to do so without concern over offending someone because there are those who offend me and those whose lives  and beliefs are different than my own and no one is going to adapt their belief and life system for me so why not live my life out according to my own convictions and beliefs without the need to apologize or be ashamed for thinking and living different than they.

Ah, this post is doing me more good than you probably right? That's ok... I'm good with that;)

So here's the bottom line... I have lots to say, about lots of things. I have felt like I've been on the spin cycle in the wash machine since international adoption has been a decision we as a family made over a year ago, and praise God, He pushed the stop button and told me to get over myself and my inhibitions and give the message He's given me to give. And if I'm wrong He will be sure to point it out and I will be quick to say... I was wrong. And I will apologize and admit my mistakes to anyone who may still be lurking listeners;) 

So here's something's you should know about me straight up:

I'm a Christian. The kind that believes that Jesus was sent to pardon me from my sin so that I can have peace with God and be able to enjoy Him and His presence forever. 

I'm the kind of Christian who believes that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, written Word of God and is the blueprint for every believer to know how to live as our creator intended for us to live in order that He receives all the glory and receives a faithful testament to Himself through our obedience.

I believe adoption is and was purposed as a means to be a defender of the fatherless.  " Defend the poor and fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and destitute. Psalms 82:3".

This is the definition of defend:

To drive danger or attack away. To maintain or support in the face of argument or hostile criticism. 

Synonyms: protect, shield, guard, safeguard.

I believe that Jesus wants the little children to be able to come unto Him, " But Jesus said, " Let the little children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

I believe parents are the best option for children to be ushered to the knees of Jesus.

I believe adoption is a God created plan as a substitute/bridge for those who without it would be left to die without a family and the blessings meant to be provided through it. 

I believe everyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ is commanded to either care for or help others care for the widows and orphans.

I believe Satan hates families, and works overtime in the preventing of families being created and destroyed because families are Gods plan to bear witness of Himself and His purpose of mankind. 

How's this for a start in what I believe? 

So be forewarned: 

this blog is going to be used to shout from the rooftops what I believe about adoption, and family in general, and I will make no apologies for my beliefs and I will ask none from you for yours.

Now lets hug and get on with our Saturday,

Beth

You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

Psalms 82: 17-18

News and Upcoming Events...

 

I want to announce we are officially and legally Sevi's family! We have passed court and are just days away from being able to file with USCIS for her to immigrate to the United States. We are in the last leg of this journey. It's the place where you're ready to just quit all the fundraising, all the paperwork and just go get your child and be Family.

 But unfortunately we still have work to do. Both in fundraising and in filing and W.A.I.T.I.N.G.

Those of you who are currently in the middle of a DRC adoption know there has been delay after delay. We thought her process would go so much quicker than Maida's but due to changes that are being implemented we do not know now. But what we do know is she is coming home and we are preparing for her!

 

Let me get back to other news before I jump in and tell you about our next fundraising event.

A little over a week ago a friend of mine who works in-country was able to go and visit Sevi for us! This is a picture of he and Sev:

 

 

 

 

 

He had nothing but good things to say about her which pleased this mama's heart a great deal. It's one thing to think your child unique and special, that's pretty normal, but for someone else to see the amazing qualities she possesses just made my heart go pitter patter; and more than once I've asked God why we are so fortunate to be able to call her daughter.

 

We have several fundraiser events in the works but the first big one will be on June 7 & 8th. It is a:

 

 

If you happen to live close to us and have some things that are gently used that you would like to donate just contact us and we will come and pick them up from you!

We are still selling Candy Bars! You can order a box for $100. (Turn around and resale them and you've lost nothing!), Half a box, or even one or two at a time! We sell individual bars for $2 each. Also we have gotten back to making our African Paper Bead necklaces and bracelets. They are so pretty and they look fantastic when you wear more than one. We have lowered the prices to $15 for necklaces and $10 for bracelets. They are very labor intensive as we make each paper bead ourselves, so they are truly a hand crafted, unique item. Just email us at lullabiesacrossthesea@yahoo.com to order!

 

Bella and Tia are modeling the jewelry:

 

 

 

 

 

Please pray that our fundraisers will be successful and Sevi's paperwork will be pushed through in a timely manner so she can join her family! It's been almost six months since we were together and I am missing her a great deal and my friend who visited her said it is very difficult for her to believe we are coming back for her as that hope is just too big for her. I can't wait for her to see us walk through those gates at her orphanage again so she knows we meant it when we said we would be back and taking her home.

 

 

 

Beth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Final Count for Give1Save1

It's an hour before midnight and a few trickles of donations are still coming in. We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped us raise money for Sevi's adoption. A little over $800 was raised:)
Thank you!

Only two days left!

We only have TWO DAYS LEFT in our Give1 Save1 fundraiser! Our goal is to raise $1,250 more in these last two days to reach $2,000. We need all of your help to get there, please share share share with everyone you know! Here is the link again: http://tinyurl.com/sevikat
 We have been so blessed by all the friends and family who have already stepped forward and helped and supported us. Thank you and please keep praying for us and our Sevi girl :)

 

 

Beth

 

Our Family Book Reached Sevi... Take a Look!

I hope you find this as big of a treat as we did. This is Sevi recieving her family book. A family book is a book adoptive families can create through photo company's like Shutterfly.  The books are a way to introduce the waiting children to their new families and homes.  Adoptive families network with other adoptive parents who are traveling  in order to get these books and care packages to their children. We are so grateful for those who traveled and helped get things to Maida when she was still there and now Sevi.
Since my daughter and myself was able to meet Sevi when we were in the Congo last November we were able to add photo's that included us with her. That was exciting for her, along with the nannies from the orphanage getting to see pictures of Maida with her new family! Just click on the link below and enjoy!

http://youtu.be/4DdPPHQxCNU

And remember this week we are the featured family at Give1Save1. You, our readers can help us bring Sevi home by sharing this link with everyone you know. Please join efforts with us!
Heres the link for the give1save1fundraiser: http://tinyurl.com/sevikat

 

Beth

Carried Home

"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.
But those who make their journey home across time & miles,
growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,
are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us
by God's very own hands."
~ Kristi Larson

 

This was Maida in June of 2012. Five months before carried home.

We Are Live!

Just got word our family's adoption story is being featured NOW! whoot whoot!! on Give1Save1's blog. What is Give1Save1?
An adoption blog that helps adoptive families raise funds for their adoption so that families can go get their kids. Is that not awesome??
It is a wonderful opportunity for us to raise the needed funds to bring Sevi home. The motto of Give1save1 is give $1 to save 1 life. Can you give more than a dollar? ABSOLUTELY! But don't underestimate what $1 can do! Besides donating towards our adoption at this blog we need you, our readers to promote promote promote our family this week. Share the link with your facebook friends, send out the link to those family members and friends who aren't facebook users through email.
Help spread the Word for us. For Sevi...
Thank You!

http://give1save1africa.blogspot.com/

Two Children, Two Very Different Adoptions

It's been five months since we met Sevi. Five months since we met her sweet spirited self and I'm missing her and ready for her to come home.
This adoption is very different than when we went through the process for Maida. With Maida we had no first hand knowledge of the DRC other than what we read. We knew nothing of the child we said yes to, and had very little understanding of how the paperwork was done that would make her our own, or the importance of specific documents that enables two countries goverments to agree in letting us bring her home.

With Sevi we know her, we met her and spent two weeks with her when we traveled to pick up Maida in November.
We experienced the beauty and the tragedy of the DR Congo. We saw first hand the tragic reality for so many children who contract malaria, when children have no one in their life who can afford a few dollars to buy medicine that would spare their life.

We now know exactly what documents are needed, and what those documents will mean in making us family. It happened so much faster with Maida, and it seems to be taking so long with Sevi. Last time around I thought if I just knew what to expect and the time frame to expect it in, it would help ease some of the adoption anxiety. But let me tell you... It's done the opposite!

I find myself tapping my foot, drumming my fingers and shooting off emails to my agency to enquire about our documents. I want to reach across the ocean and see to it that MY child's paperwork is being noticed in the stacks of documents that are being handled in the courts of Kinshasa.

Doesn't Sevi deserve to come home? Hasn't she been in that orphanage long enough? Isn't it time for her to learn what family is and who God is and how much she is loved? My answer is yes. And I'm sure you agree with me; but like our last adoption I have to be reminded whose child Sevi really is. Gods. He has just given us the blessing of raising her. He is using us-Mom, Dad, brother and many sisters, to know what love is. What grace is. To know what family is and what commitment is.
Personally I'd like to get on with all this family love fest for Sevi in person. But like with Maida, God reminds me that He is still working in the waiting. Our waiting, and persevering is already teaching Sevi about commitment as we wait on her and climb mountains for her. She is already beginning to experience love and trust as we follow through in bringing her home like we said we would that last day we said our goodbyes in the Congo five months ago.
She is a smart girl, a very smart girl. And I know she will know one thing about this family before ever coming home: We want her and love her.
And I know while we wait for funds, and for paperwork, God is using this time to make us better prepared for her and her for us.



 



Beth

The Difference a Year Makes When Someone Says Yes

                                     

 

 

 

 

 

                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WE ARE SO GLAD WE SAID YES TO YOU MAIDA GRACE!