WAITING.....

 Ok.....*deep breaths Hannah*

I have given birth to 3 children. It was a crazy, wild, and exciting time. I LOVE to plan and organize - I'm the kind of girl that had my hospital bag packed 3 months early and the nursery prepped for weeks ahead of time.....

Adoption.....is different. There's still a baby on the way.....but this type of anticipation is totally new to me.

We're on the 6 week countdown (We could travel anytime after June 11th - AND TRUST ME, if we haven't left by then - you'll wish we had - if ya know what I mean!)

Right now I'm in the panicked "HURRAY AND WAIT" phase....

Macedonia has our Translated Dossier....The Ministry confirmed they had our documents on April 8th - so, theoretically, we could hear news ANYTIME from the country.

TIME is CRAWLING by.

After we've received approval, we'll be placed in the registry of approved families and THEN that's when they'll make their referral (match us with the waiting child).

There's no set time for when they make this referral - but it could be very shortly after our approval. Along with this referral comes our travel approval! THAT'S when we'll get the tickets. Adoption Airfare is on standby for our call and is ready and excited to help us book our flight!

Oh, back to this concept of a the "hospital bag" - PHEW! This is ONE HECK of a bag! Its a bag for 6 people for 10-12 weeks! Mommy, Daddy, an 8 year old, 6 year old, 5 year old and New Little Tot!

WAITING everyday for an update. Refreshing my e-mail like a crazy lady. Checking my phone for calls or texts....

Baby "Xavier" - you are on my heart and mind. I cannot wait to see you soon! We'll be there soon! I am greatly anticipating that precious day  - the day that YOU will be born into our hearts....our lives....our family. Soon sweet boy! Very soon!

Happy Easter!

“… so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” – Galatians 4:5

Easter by far is my favorite holiday and in my opinion the most important one. Though do not get Hannah started as she disagrees and chooses Christmas – for without Jesus’ birth there would be no Resurrection Sunday!  Sounds like the argument about which one comes first, the chicken or the egg.   I joked around early today when an acquaintance put a meme up about not liking Marshmallow Peeps that the correct order of importance is the following: Jesus, Cadbury Eggs, and then Marshmallow Peeps.  Anything else would just be a tragedy!

In all seriousness, I love Easter as it highlights the ultimate sacrifice that our Heavenly Father gave in order to bring us to redemption and shows the power of Christ Jesus to conquer death.  I mean, I literally get chills when I think about the depiction shown in Mel Gibson’s Passion when Jesus victoriously sets on the head of the serpent with his heel.  Some have faulted the movie for spending too much time on the crucifixion; however, the end is so dramatic that it highlights the victory over death and the power of our Risen Savior.  Besides, that is also how the Gospel of Mark ends. 

The question though is why?  Why would our Heavenly Father go to such lengths to free us from the shackles of sin?  Why did He give the ultimate sacrifice in which eternity turned its back on eternity for us who in our own minds desire nothing to do with God?   I believe the answer is in one simple word.

Adoption

Our Heavenly Father desired to redeem us in order to bring us into His family.  So that we can be heirs along with Christ Jesus and to know His presence forever.  He was so moved by our state and to bring us out of the murky swamp so that we can be embraced in His arms.  We were made to have a healthy relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Through His death and His resurrection, He does exactly that.

During this process of adoption, this theme has begun to resonate with me more.  We have always had a desire to give a boy or a girl a forever home.  We desire to wrap them up in our arms and to hold them.  We desire to sing to them until they fall asleep in the security of our home.  We desire to pick them up when they get hurt and tend to their scrapes and bruises.  The purpose is not for ourselves, but it is for them.   Every child should have a family to call their own.  Why?  Because they were made for it.  Just like we were made for a relationship with Jesus.

That is the reason that we desire to adopt.  We desire to show the same love and affection that Jesus has so graciously showed us.  And though it may seem like a huge mountain with many hurdles, it is worth it.  I mean Jesus went to so much more and such greater hurdles to redeem us.  I think we can handle a little paperwork, traveling halfway around the world, and forgoing a new car. 

Have a great Resurrection Sunday! And remember that Jesus gave His life so that you could be a part of the family of God!

Story of the Star Fish

163,000,000 orphans worldwide. A staggering number. How will our single adoption impact this crisis?! Its JUST ONE out of sooooo many!!!!!

I'd like to share a very special story with you. One that holds a special place in my heart. 

Its the story of the Star Fish. 

This is a beautiful illustration of adoption! One rescued orphan may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things....but I can promise you one thing...it will make a difference to that one!

"While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.

He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”

THIS is our calling. Our Passion. ~ "I am only one. BUT STILL, I AM ONE. I cannot do everything. BUT STILL, I CAN DO SOMETHING. And because I cannot do everything, I will not hesitate to do what I CAN DO!" Hellen Keller ~ 

AUCTION! 3/12 through 3/16!

Our Auction Page is up! 

I'm adding pictures of auction items to our album! Please "like" the page and help spread the word! 

You won't want to miss this! 

We are hoping and praying for a successful event! 

CLICK here to check out our One Less Orphan Auction!!!!

Want to Help?! Check Out Our Current Fundraisers!

Check out our current Fundraisers! (Follow the Hyper-Links!) 

Donate A Tax Deductible Gift Here!  

AdvoCare!  

Mary Kay Fundraiser!

T-Shirt Fundraiser! 

DVD Sale!

Children's Book Sale!  

Gift Basket Sale! 

Origami Owl Jewelry!  

Sugar Cookies! $10 suggested donation/dozen
(I can do many different shapes/colors)
e-mail: heselby@liberty.edu to place an order!

*Please consider shipping charges if you do not live locally.

Amish White Bread - Suggested donation of $6 loaf / or 2 for $10. Seriously, this bread is the best!

e-mail: heselby@liberty.edu to place an order!

*Please consider shipping charges if you do not live locally.

Gluten Free Mixes! $7/bag (Or $15 for all 3!)*
There's 3 left!
1 - Pizza Crust Mix
1 - Bread Mix
1 - Sugar Cookie Mix

*Please consider shipping charges if you do not live locally.

e-mail: heselby@liberty.edu to claim them!

Are you a busy parent? Are you like me and often forget to pack your child's lunch until that morning?! Or even for yourself at work?!

Well, what about ordering 5 bagged lunches! Use them all up for the week or save them for those busy mornings! This is a good sized lunch for most ages. You could add in some fresh fruit or veggies too.  

Would you be interested in a week of packed lunches for a $25 donation? Send me an e-mail!

The lunches would include:
*Juice Pouch or Water bottle (Your choice)
*Fruit Cup (or) Apple Sauce
*A fruit Strip (or) Fruit Rope
*A salty snack
*A sweet snack
*A snack bar
*A type of nut (almond, cashew, peanut, etc) - make me aware of ay allergies!
*2 napkins and a plastic spoon


Would anyone be interested in Care Packages for your college student for finals?! I can load a package full of goodies and ship it out to them! If you're interested, shoot me an e-mail! heselby@liberty.edu!  
 
Click here to see our Facebook Page: 
Follow Our Facebook Page for Regular Fundraiser Updates! 

***Can't give financially? We would also be happy to take donations of things we could auction off or sell in online garage sales and raffles. (i.e. nice clothing, unused items, gift cards, toys, movies, gift sets etc)***

Our Sponsorship Consultant Page

 ~ Helping Hands ~

 We have been generously sponsored by these private consultants! 

If you are in need of any products through these companies, please consider supporting these donors! (Just Follow the hyper-links!)

Jamberry Nails! - Kathy Smith

Mary Kay- Tiffany Decker

 Origami Owl - Angeline VanHalle 

USANA - Don and Rachel Acker 

Norwex - Bethany Peters  

It Works - Samantha Terry  
 

If you have any items or gift cards from your small business that you would like to donate for us to use in our fundraising efforts (or would like to host a party for us as a fundraiser), I'll be happy to share your consultant info on the blog and share it with others as a THANK-YOU for supporting us. 
I hope this will bring you some support in return!

Grants!!!

Filling out grants is like filling out forms to buy a house! But we are thrilled that we have completed and submitted FOUR grant applications! We are praying for favor and that perhaps our story will touch the hearts of the committees. Please pray with us that we would be strongly considered for financial gifts from these generous agencies. 

We continue to work on additional grants and continue to pray and trust that God will provide! We are so thankful, humbled, and blessed by the gifts and support we have received. Thank-you for all the prayers and donations. We are so very thankful! 

 "I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything. But still, I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do what I can do." - Helen Keller 

We are in pursuit of making a difference - even if just to ONE! Thank-you for sharing the journey with us and for helping us change a life!

Our Adoption Sponsorship Link