A random act of kindness

Little over a month ago, Tim and I decided to raise funds for Joshua's former orphanage. We specifically wanted to raise enough money to dig a new well. The current well doesn't work sufficiently and the children do not have clean drinking water. I posted request on our blog (see post entitled More Water Please) and we told a few close family members, but we didn't go much beyond that. A few weeks ago I was contacted by the mother of one of Amelia's classmates. Their daughter was turning 4 and in lieu of birthday presents, they wanted to raise money for our cause. I was touched by her generosity and realized I needed to do more.

We are called to be the voice for the voiceless, so I am asking again. I have emailed friends and neighbors and am again putting in a request. If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile cause, please send checks made out to Our Family Adoptions to our home. We are planning to mail the checks to the agency on February 15th, so please hurry. If you do not feel you are able to contribute financially, then please take a moment to pray. Please pray for hope for the millions of children worldwide who remain voiceless in the midst of extreme poverty and global injustice.

Our human popsicles...

As I reflect on Joshua's journey to his new home and family, I just can't help but feel bad that we brought him to Indiana! Last week, we experienced temperatures around -20!! Once the heat wave came and it warmed up to the high 20s, the kids begged us to go sledding. As you can see from the ground, there wasn't a whole lot of snow, but we felt so bad about the cabin fever that we bundled up and headed out. Johsua doesn't mind winter coats and hats as much as I thought he would, but he really doesn't enjoy the snow suit. He loves being outside so much however, that he quickly forgets and joins the fun. These are a few pictures of our African son beginning to like the Midwest and fun in the snow.



We are getting more snow tomorrow and I just can't get my mind off of somewhere warm. Living in the Midwest has many perks, but there comes a point somewhere between January and February that you begin to think spring can't come soon enough. There has got to be a travel deal out there somewhere right?

Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many forms, but one way to be inspired is to hear remarkable stories of humanity. I won't try to summarize this wonderfully touching story, but here is the jest of it...

*A woman in Phoenix also adopting from Jamma Letu is involved in her refugee community.
*She learns that the daughter of a Congolese refugee family recently died in childbirth leaving 3 daughters and a newborn baby in a refugee camp in Goma. *She works to have the girls transported 1200 miles in a war torn country by volunteers to Jamma Letu orphanage where they will be well cared for. During their stay she is working to have them adopted by their family here and brought to the US.

People changing the world one story at a time - true inspiration.
Please read the full story at www.thecamjam.blogspot.com.

Merry Christmas (late)!

How is it that I took over 100 pictures during the month of December and in most of the pictures my children look in pain? This is the best of the best from our holiday. We had 2 great weeks together of eating, drinking (hot chocolate, of course), playing games and just hanging out together. It was wonderful!