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Thursday, February 27, 2014

added one

We have added one new Beard Grower! Wow,
we are blown away by the turnout of people to grow with us (Dave)! 
Let's see if we can get to 20 Beard Growers...
check it out here

And as we continue to add Beard Growers we get closer and closer to being matched. It's been 3 1/2 months since being Logged In. Our agency thought it would be about 4 months until we were matched and not longer than 6. It's weird to be approaching the 4 month mark. I get that rush of hot in my heart when I think about it. It's been a very peaceful process of waiting, thank you Lord, and weird that it's really coming. Most days it doesn't feel real. Then I go back to the post Where is Mei Mei?

We are so blessed to be supported by and share this journey with so many. We can't wait to share with you when we're matched...

Saturday, February 22, 2014

beards of hope

It's been so fun to see how the idea of growing a beard to raise money took off.

We are now up to 17 Beard Growers.

It is going to an exciting 5 months of beard growing. There are going to be some fun Beard Grower incentives so check the website for updates and monthly photos of the Beard Growers!

visit www.ourbeardsofhope.blogspot.com

You can jump in as a Beard Grower or Beard Sponsor at any time for a monthly pledge or one time gift. Happy growing!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

where is she?

Every once in a while I ask the kids,"Where is mei mei?" in a curious and thoughtfully-questioning sort of way. I am so curious about what she looks like, smells like, feels like. This is different than preparing for a biological child to arrive, even if it's your first. If you are preparing for a bio kid you have your own baby pictures to look at and wonder about,"will she have my eyes or yours, will she have my personality or yours?" This, though, is a total mystery. When I think about our mei mei all I can picture are other Chinese children that our friends have adopted. It's a weird thing, but just part of it. When I see a Chinese woman out and about I think of what she will be like when she's 30. Amazing! She will have a chance to be who God has created her to be and there is HOPE in that.

About five years ago I was in a mom's Bible study and we studied and memorized the passage below. It has stuck with me more than just knowing it or logging it away. God has known from the beginning of time that this little mei mei will be in our family and all about her. He knows the struggle her biological family is in and the reasons why she is waiting for us. HE knit her together like He did for a very specific reason, to be used to bless and help others just how she is. She might be missing some fingers or some toes, she might have trouble seeing or have a weak heart, but He knows and He has a purpose. We are blessed to come alongside our little mei mei, as well as our bio kids, in guiding them to fulfill their purpose and live our their passions to glorify Him!


Psalm 139:1-17
You have searched me, Lord,
 and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue 
you, Lord, know it completely. 

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
 Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
 if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
 your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
 for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
 you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
 your works are wonderful,
 I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
 when I was made in the secret place,
 when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; 
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
 before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
 How vast is the sum of them!

Monday, February 17, 2014

secret identity...

Many of you who will be keeping up with our adoption and family progress on our blog know us very well and see us around town, but some will be viewing this from around the country and possibly the world. We hope our blog and story will be used by God as an encouragement to many in life and in the adoption process and are looking forward to it being used in many ways. For that reason we have chosen to have our kid's real names kept out of this form of media. If you wish to make a comment please refrain from using our kid's names. Thanks so much!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

test post

Hi all! We are so excited to chart our adoption journey, and for you all to come along for the ride. God has done so many amazing things thus far and we are excited to see what else is in store. We know that there are going to be some very difficult things and many joyous moments to share. Please forgive our messiness as we live the life God has called us to. We pray that our blog is encouraging to you and that you would join us in prayer as we live out this thing called life...
Two signs I recently saw, which I thought were very fitting and might just find there way into our house one day, are these:

Sorry about the mess, but we live here.

If you think my hands are full you should see my heart.

{this is our first "test" post to get us rolling. check back soon for more on it's an obwald life}