Fundraiser Time Again!!! Shop til you drop!!!

I have several GORGEOUS pottery/ceramic necklaces that have been handcrafted by a lady who works hard to make these types of things available to families trying to raise money for the cause of adoption.

I also have some "blessed" bracelets by Mudlove who also exist to support causes such as these.  Not only does your contribution go towards our adoption, but also towards giving Africans clean drinking water.  How about that two great causes for the price of one bracelet!!!

I will be selling while supplies last, so act quick if you see one you like!!! As always, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your contributions to this call on our lives!  You are a blessing to our family and to our little one to be. 

To God Be the Glory as He keeps doing GREAT AND MIGHTY things!!!

Necklaces and bracelets are $24 each

"blessed" Bracelets are $10 each
colors: brown,black, a few red,and a few blue
These are going fast, already sold out of some colors! 

 1 Peter 5:7

(SOLD)

 Lamentations 3:22-23

(SOLD)

 1 Peter 5:7

(SOLD)

 Philippians 4:6-7

(SOLD)

 Matthew 11:28

(one available)

 Joshua 1:9

(two available)

 Proverbs 3:5-6

(two available)

 James 4:8

(SOLD)

 Philippians 4:6-7

(SOLD)

 Ephesians 3:20

(SOLD)

 Ephesians 3:20

(one available)

Jeremiah 29:11

(SOLD)

Love B Salyer Photography!!!

Our mini photo fundraiser shoot with B Salyer Photography was a huge success despite the absolutely incredible amount of rain we had to dodge.  I am so grateful for all of the families that participated in this fundraiser and can not say, "thank you" enough!  You are a huge blessing and your babies are all gorgeous!  This fundraiser raised $550!!! To God be the Glory!!!

I'd also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to none other than the awesome photographer who drove ten hours, gave countless hours, and refused to let us contribute a dime to help with ANY of the expenses.  Brittney you are truly amazing and we are so thankful for your talent and your giving spirit!!! Not only did we benefit from the fundraiser itself, but from the precious time we got to spend with you that week.

My girls adore her; and Stephen and I love spending time with her!!!  That week is one I look forward to telling our sweet child about one day; of all the sacrifices that others put in, so that we could bring "Baby Williams" home.

We have already had several requests for Brittney to come back for more photo sessions in the future, so I'll be sure to let you know when she's in town!!! If you're ever up that way (Bristol TN), particularly in the fall, you should contact her for some gorgeous scenery shots of you and your loved ones, you won't be sorry!!!

Now to boast of my two favorite photo subjects :)

This is such a "Madie" expression.

I could just squeeze her!

PRICELESS!!!

 I SO LOVE THIS ONE OF HER!!!

She is growing up so fast and becoming more and more beautiful everyday!

 Be Still My Heart!!!

 These two bring unending blessings to me as a Mommy!

Sweet chats over milk and coffee

I had a sweet time of coloring and talking with my littles this morning about their future brother or sister and it just made me so very grateful for how God is molding and preparing their hearts, and just like Stephen and I, they are longing for the missing part of our family as well.

Madie and I crafted a picture together this morning as we sat and talked about the days ahead.  I so look forward to who she will become through this adoption.  It has already made her so very compassionate for those without families.  I pray it helps her see the very essence of what Christ did for her in a tangible way.  

How do we look as a family of five stick figures?

HOME STUDY DONE!!!

We returned home this afternoon from being out of town for a few days to find a sweet little jewel in the mailbox awaiting us...OUR HOME STUDY!  It is finished and in hand!!!  As soon as I opened it, the anxious longing to meet and hold our awaited child overwhelmed me.  I can not convey the excitement we are feeling right now as we are inching closer and closer.

God has been so faithful to us through this whole process and I absolutely can not proclaim that enough!  He has immensely blessed each fundraiser with precious details that will remain dear to our hearts for the rest of our lives.  God has gifted us with such wonderful friends and family who continue to run to our aid in each of these endeavors.  We are so humbled at the way people have poured themselves out to help meet our needs, and to God be all the glory!

Now that we have finished our home study, our next hurdle is the largest hurdle in this process.  We still have A LOT of money to raise and at this point that is all that is standing between us and matching with a child.  We are tossing around a few more ideas of fundraisers, sending out grant applications, and working hard to save.  Please pray for God to multiply these efforts as we continue trusting that He is going to fund what he so obviously favors in His Word!  To Him be all the glory and fame and thank you from the bottom of our hearts if you have aided us through giving, purchasing, helping and or sacrificing time or things.  Words will never be adequate enough to convey our heartfelt gratitude!

"I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your Truth from the great congregation."
                                                                                                                      Psalm 40:10

There is a Solution

http://www.ellerslie.com/short-films/depraved-indifference
Please click on the above link with an open heart and mind!

This is the heart of adoption.  Be a part of it!  

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-6

You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

Psalms 10:14,17-18

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

James 1:27

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

Psalms 68:5-6

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

Isaiah 1:17

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Proverbs 31:8-9

"There is a solution, and it is Jesus Christ!" 

Fundraiser Photo Sessions!!!

Our next fundraiser is getting underway and I am super excited about this one!  Our dear Cousin Brittney and her awesome gift of photography are going to contribute her expertise of snapping pictures of YOUR littles!  That's right, she is going to do a day of mini sessions for your minis.

Brittney has started her own photography business in Bristol Tennessee and is going to contribute to the cause of helping us bring home our newest family member.  She's already had a lot of experience in the short time she's been in business because she's so talented.  I can't wait to see what she will come up with for these photo shoots.

If you are interested in having your children's pictures taken, we will be making appointments starting now, until all time slots are full.  The sessions will be Monday, July 22nd for whatever time you reserve. Act now, you won't want to miss this opportunity!!!

B Salyer Photography 

Mini Sessions

Session Includes:

20 minute session of your child

CD with final images 

Facebook Timeline Image

Total $50

This is just a glimpse of her work

One of my all time favs!!!

How blessed are those who seek Him...

As we wade through the details of all that still lies in front of us, I find myself a bit overwhelmed at the dollars and cents that we still owe in order to bring home our little Williams'.  I know the Lord is big and for Him this is no large task, however to my small little mind and faith I have to constantly keep the Word of God close at hand and read the reminders that He marked in His letter to His people about who He is and what He does, and how He provides, and sustains.

I have been studying through Psalm 119 and it is a constant reminder to walk in His ways and pursue Him earnestly, and how doing this yields a blessed life...not easy, but blessed.  My definition of blessed has also been thwarted a bit by the Word of God.  Blessings are not always the gifts and easy way of life we hope for, but the things that prove God's faithfulness to His children, the feeling of being satisfied in Him, or the constant reminder of how undeserving I am of His grace, yet how He abundantly gives it.  I am truly 'blessed' to look back over the last 27 years of my life and see how God used every detail of my life to mold me into what I am right at this very moment, and how He is using even this very moment of my life to continue to conform me to the image of Christ.

Our lives have been challenged tremendously since we began this process of adoption and we can only imagine that it's going to get a bit more challenging as we continue moving forward, but we so desire to see God glorified in and through our family by the way we demonstrate His love through this ENTIRE adventure.

So right now, in this very moment when I am struggling to see how all of these details are going to come together to make this work; the promises He's left me in His Word assure me that He will be faithful to complete the work He's started.  So on we go, waiting to see what He will do next.

These are my physical daily reminders of God's blessings.  They are so near and dear to me and I am so  undeserving, but most grateful!