Adoption update

We started the process for 2 sweet boys in February of this year, just 3 months after bringing Samuel and Helen home from Ghana. Crazy? Yes, but crazy for Jesus. Longing to follow Him at all costs. Doing whatever He asks of us.

We sped through the first part of the process because everything was already current from our first adoption. We were able to bypass many of the steps the other families had to wait on. So we have been ready for court for months and months, just like everyone else. However, Ghana is trying to establish a way to protect their children better. Therefore, we are in a holding position.

Today we knew there was a possibility for some movement on our case. As I talked to my in country coordinator tonight and he told me it will be next week, I trusted. I trusted my Jesus to know EXACTLY what He is doing. He has a plan, a story He wants to write, but I need to wait for Him. All of us adoptive parents need to wait and be patient. We need to be still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10. I know at the end of the journey it will be so worth it. Those little hugs will be worth the wait, worth the heartache and it will all go away once they are in my arms forever.

Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:31

Correction on the shirts

So there have been some minor changes on the shirts. We are still selling them and we have added sizes 2T, 3T, and 4T available any day now. However, all proceeds from the shirts will now only go to our dear sweet friends, the Bowlings. You see, the last few weeks have been tough. Actually, more than tough. Words cannot express what they have been through and my heart breaks each time I think of them. To read more about their story and how they have stepped out in faith, click the Bowling family. They are an amazing family and we are so thankful God brought them to our lives!!!

Anyways, they need to raise the remaining funds to bring their babies home, a 6 year old girl and a baby boy. So click the sidebar to order a shirt, or two, or MORE and help us help them!!! Be a part of helping two children find their FOREVER FAMILY!!!

(For those of you wondering, yes, we are still adopting our boys.)

Worth the Wait

New shirts! We have new shirts to sell for our adoption and also our dear friends, Chad and Stephanie Bowling.

As all of you know, we brought Samuel and Helen home almost 10 months ago. It was a faith walk for us (as most of you know from personal experience). We watched God provide every penny for them. From fundraisers to garage sales to cutting off our cable and other budget stuff, God made it happen. He is faithful and He funds what He favors!!!

When we started this second adoption 3 months after bringing them home, my first question was, "How can I mother 7 children?" My 2nd, "How can we afford this?" A few months ago, I was out for a girls night out and expressed to a sweet friend of mine about my concerns. I knew God would provide, but had momentarily lost my focus. She gave me this awesome shirt design. As I thought more and more about it, I realized what an awesome idea it is.

You see, this sweet girl

and her brother were WORTH THE WAIT. What better shirt for her to be in??? And for me, it is so WORTH THE WAIT for my sweet children to come home from Africa.

By the way for those of you who are wondering, this is not me, but my Sydney with Helen.

So, we are selling these shirts for $22 each and that includes shipping. All proceeds will go to bring 4 sweet children home from Ghana, Africa. A boy and girl for the Bowlings and 2 boys for us. We will post pics of our treasures as soon as we all pass court. In the meantime, here's a "glimpse".

If you want to order, click the sidebar. We have youth sizes and unisex adult sizes. These shirts are a tri-blend so they are extra soft. If there is enough interest, I will order some onesies so please let me know if you would like one. The x-small youth runs a little big right now.

Thanks to each of you for being on this journey with us, but ALSO we are thankful to walk your journeys with you!!!

How can I?

How can I tell these sweet faces "Jesus loves you", when they are hungry?

When they are thirsty? Will they even hear me? Probably not, because their tummies are empty. They are thirsty, they are hurting. For them to see Jesus and His love, we have to be Jesus and His love. We have to live it every minute. How? I ask myself that each morning when I wake. How, God, am I supposed to be a mother to 5 children here, waiting for my 2 boys to come home, homeschool all of them (which is exactly what God has called me to do), be a wife to my husband, a good friend, daughter, helper, and advocate for the fatherless of the world? I am not. That's just it, I am not. It is Him. This is His story, His life. I have to choose each day to give it to Him before I crawl out of bed. I have to die to self every morning. I have to reach out beyond me when there is nothing left. I have to seek Him and ask for His strength to be what He has called me to be. I have to rely upon Him for each breath. Only then is it possible.

And these faces keep me going.

They remind me of my sweet Savior who gave His life for me. They remind me of the joy that comes from Him. Pure, simple, childlike faith and joy. They encourage me to help more children. They tell me they want to adopt again once B & J are home. They are already deciding who will be next in our family. They remind me that I CAN DO THIS WITH HIM.

They make the waiting for their brothers a bit easier.

A bit. However, I long to hold them. I long to see their little faces, to hug them until it hurts, to tell them I love them over and over and over. Will they tire of it? Oh, I am sure because I am relentless!!

Today I pray for His love to shine through, for Him to receive all Glory and honor and praise. I pray for each hurting child around the world to be comforted by the Almighty Comforter. I pray for hearts to be completely and utterly broken for the orphaned child. I pray for the Church to be broken. Hearts physically aching for the children that need Him. And I pray that when someone sees my beautiful children, they will be moved. And not to ask me if I wake up each morning, look in the mirror and bang my head saying, "What have I done? What have I done?" (And yes, someone really did ask me this.) No, I pray they will be touched by the love of Jesus and they will see His strength shining through.

I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:13

If you would like to sponsor a child or make a huge difference in the life of a child in another way, please visit FEEDING THE ORPHANS.

Give.A.Way

Check out this AWESOME Give.A.Way to help build a Safe House for the children of Ghana. There are a few ways to enter:

1. blog about it
2. for every $20 donated your name will be entered once
3. spread the word on Facebook or Twitter

Thank you ahead of time for helping us help the children of Africa!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Miss Helen!!!

Almost 8 months ago, we brought home this precious little girl who spoke no English. She was shy and withdrawn.

Today, she is an incessant chatterbox and full of life. She brings so much laughter into our home and is definitely "our baby". All the kids adore her!! She can make us laugh and also give the sweetest hugs at the same time.

Last week, the kids and I all went birthday party shopping for her. I put her in the cart at Wal-Mart and off we went to the party aisle. As she chose her Princess plates and napkins, Princess pinata, Princess wrapping paper, I put it all in the back of the cart. When I turned back around, I saw MY PRINCESS with arms overflowing. She had gotten everything out of the back of the cart, put it in her lap and her little arms were stretched wide open as she declared to everyone in the store, "I AM GOING TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY. I WILL BE FOUR. I AM ALMOST FOUR. I WILL HAVE A BIRTHDAY." Just picture her waving at everyone in Wal-Mart and declaring her birthday to them all. (Her first birthday even though she would be turning four.)

For those of you that know Helen, you know she LOVES to be held. She loves for one of us to be holding her. She loves to snuggle her face into our necks. She loves to just be close. Well, a few nights ago I was combing her hair and she stepped back from me, put her hands on her hips, and stated, "I'm almost 4 now, Mom. I think I'm almost too big for you to carry." Then she left. I chuckled to myself.

This morning when she woke up and realized it was her big day, she was glowing! She enjoyed pancakes for breakfast, pizza for lunch, special time at the gymnastics center and a whole lot of loving on her special day! Her siblings loved doting on her and giving presents and taking care of her. At dinner, we sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Then I told her that her special day would be over when she woke up in the morning. With the most serious expression she asked, "Can I have two days, Mommy?"

Every day is special with Miss Helen. Thank you, God, for such an incredible blessing in that sweet child!!!

Adoption Fundraiser

Eighteen months ago, God started us on the most incredible journey of our lives. The journey to two of our children.

We fundraised and were able to bring them home 7 months ago.

Now, we cannot imagine our lives without them. It seems like they have always been a part of us. Before they came home, we longed for them to be with us. Every day I feel more and more blessed to see them walking through the house, giggling and playing with their siblings. God has shown us so much joy through these two children and taught us so much about life. I am just so thankful I didn't miss out on this. It brings tears to my eyes to think of the love God has shown me through all of my children.

The next part of our journey? Two boys that only He could choose.

We are saving to bring them home now. This is where you come in, though. We are doing our first fundraiser.

A 31 gift party! Click here for the catalog. Then click here to order OR send me an email to 4oleary@msn.com. You can either have it shipped to my house or straight to you. Just let me know what is most convenient for you! Don't forget to check out the great specials they are running for July here.

Thank you so much for being a part of this next journey God has brought us on and for helping us bring our boys home!!!