Wow...this post was so amazing!
Please check it out...think about it...and be blessed, challenged, and encouraged!
CLICK HERE
Addis Ababa Time
7 years ago
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Lucy Lane
I wanted to pass on a really encouraging blog that I read...
The family lives in Nashville, and Kristi has been such an encouragement to me in motherhood and the adoption process. You have GOT to watch Lucy Lane's "Gotcha Day" video that is on her blog. They also went through AGCI and their video is now on the website. I am in a puddle of tears every time I watch it!
Enjoy...
http://weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/
The family lives in Nashville, and Kristi has been such an encouragement to me in motherhood and the adoption process. You have GOT to watch Lucy Lane's "Gotcha Day" video that is on her blog. They also went through AGCI and their video is now on the website. I am in a puddle of tears every time I watch it!
Enjoy...
http://weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
My ballerina
Olivia had a little "trial" class for ballet this semester, and it was ADORABLE! They had a little recital last week, so I wanted to post some pics. I will work on getting a video posted, but I have to have the hubby help me!
Sweet little one...I just loved their tu-tus!!!!
She is in the middle right by the teacher...I was impressed she actually DID it!!!
Sweet little one...I just loved their tu-tus!!!!
She is in the middle right by the teacher...I was impressed she actually DID it!!!
Here is a family shot:
And all the grandparents with the ballerina:
Monday, December 7, 2009
250 for 100
*******If you don't know about our adoption journey, please feel free to go back a few posts and hear our hearts.********
The more we move forward in the process of adoption, the more amazing people I meet, read about, hear stories from, etc. And, the more I hear, the more my heart swells for orphans. There is so much more need out there than I ever would have dreamed.
We are so thankful that God has led us down this path. We are so excited to be in process to go get our child(ren). I know that there is a long road ahead with many joys, fears, insecurities, excitement, and anxiety all coming to the surface...even after we bring our child(ren) home. We went to a meeting last night about adoption and one of the "leaders of the pack" who has adopted four children said that the "pre" adoption part is the easy part! I am sure that is so true...and I can't wait to find out, because that means that we will have one HOME!
We know that there are many people who do not feel led by the Lord down the road of adoption at this point or ever. There are some that we know who are in process right now. There are some who are dreaming about adopting or fostering. There are some who have not even thought about the orphan crisis in the world. There are some who would love to be a part of orphan care in some way, but not by bringing children into their home. I know that there is a place for everyone in the spectrum of "caring for orphans." I am so glad that we have the body of Christ to meet different needs at different stages, whether that be walking alongside of people, encouraging people, giving to orphans, feeding orphans, adopting orphans, praying for orphans, etc. I DO know that God said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18)." He is using His body to care for orphans and "defend their causes ...and maintain their rights (Ps. 82:3)" God models adoption with us...He promises to not leave US as orphans...and He has come to us. Praise the Lord! All that being said...right NOW our part (the Crenshaw's) of caring for orphans is adopting one or a couple of children.
To be honest, there is so much excitement in this whole process, and then fear from the enemy will hit me, and the lies flood in, "What are you doing? You do NOT have $25,000 to bring these children home. Don't get your hopes up...it will never happen, and they won't come home." And then, the TRUTH floods in,"...these are GOD'S children...GOD'S creation...and GOD owns EVERYTHING in the world. HE will provide..." We know that it is God who has led us down this "interstate."
Okay, so here is a challenge for you...we are calling it the "250 for 100 challenge." If we can get 250 people to give $100, we can bring our child(ren) home! Are you interested? Are you in? Of course there are so many needs...finances are just one of them. If you are interested in being a part financially, email me at erinwcrenshaw@gmail.com. So...250 people. That seems SO MUCH MORE manageable to my heart of little faith than $25,000. I don't know why...it is the same thing, but it just does. (Don't feel like $100 is set in stone...more or less is of course SO appreciated...)
An incredible God moment is that MONTHS ago, some friends of ours just felt led by the Lord to give us $100. She thought it was so random...and now that is the first $100 towards this adoption. God is NOT random. I feel so loved by Him!
This idea came from an AMAZING family...and AMAZING 11 year old who started raising money to adopt her soon-to-be sibling with Down Syndrome. It is a truly remarkable and inspiring story. I asked them if I could "adopt" (no pun intended!) their idea, and they said that they would be honored. You need to check them out HERE for the whole story...you will be blessed! No, you will be BLOWN AWAY by this sweet girl and what the Lord has done.
Maybe the Lord will use this idea to fund MANY adoptions for friends near and far in the future! The hurdle of finances seems like it is a big barrier to so many people that are wanting to adopt. So, maybe this will multiply and the affects will be rippling YEARS down the road as people continue to give. But, for now...are you willing to be a part of our 250 for 100 challenge? We would be honored! Email me if you are interested and I can get you some details!
Please pass this along to anyone you think would be interested at all. We are praying that God will do big things quickly so we can bring home our kiddo(s)!!!!
The more we move forward in the process of adoption, the more amazing people I meet, read about, hear stories from, etc. And, the more I hear, the more my heart swells for orphans. There is so much more need out there than I ever would have dreamed.
We are so thankful that God has led us down this path. We are so excited to be in process to go get our child(ren). I know that there is a long road ahead with many joys, fears, insecurities, excitement, and anxiety all coming to the surface...even after we bring our child(ren) home. We went to a meeting last night about adoption and one of the "leaders of the pack" who has adopted four children said that the "pre" adoption part is the easy part! I am sure that is so true...and I can't wait to find out, because that means that we will have one HOME!
We know that there are many people who do not feel led by the Lord down the road of adoption at this point or ever. There are some that we know who are in process right now. There are some who are dreaming about adopting or fostering. There are some who have not even thought about the orphan crisis in the world. There are some who would love to be a part of orphan care in some way, but not by bringing children into their home. I know that there is a place for everyone in the spectrum of "caring for orphans." I am so glad that we have the body of Christ to meet different needs at different stages, whether that be walking alongside of people, encouraging people, giving to orphans, feeding orphans, adopting orphans, praying for orphans, etc. I DO know that God said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18)." He is using His body to care for orphans and "defend their causes ...and maintain their rights (Ps. 82:3)" God models adoption with us...He promises to not leave US as orphans...and He has come to us. Praise the Lord! All that being said...right NOW our part (the Crenshaw's) of caring for orphans is adopting one or a couple of children.
To be honest, there is so much excitement in this whole process, and then fear from the enemy will hit me, and the lies flood in, "What are you doing? You do NOT have $25,000 to bring these children home. Don't get your hopes up...it will never happen, and they won't come home." And then, the TRUTH floods in,"...these are GOD'S children...GOD'S creation...and GOD owns EVERYTHING in the world. HE will provide..." We know that it is God who has led us down this "interstate."
Okay, so here is a challenge for you...we are calling it the "250 for 100 challenge." If we can get 250 people to give $100, we can bring our child(ren) home! Are you interested? Are you in? Of course there are so many needs...finances are just one of them. If you are interested in being a part financially, email me at erinwcrenshaw@gmail.com. So...250 people. That seems SO MUCH MORE manageable to my heart of little faith than $25,000. I don't know why...it is the same thing, but it just does. (Don't feel like $100 is set in stone...more or less is of course SO appreciated...)
An incredible God moment is that MONTHS ago, some friends of ours just felt led by the Lord to give us $100. She thought it was so random...and now that is the first $100 towards this adoption. God is NOT random. I feel so loved by Him!
This idea came from an AMAZING family...and AMAZING 11 year old who started raising money to adopt her soon-to-be sibling with Down Syndrome. It is a truly remarkable and inspiring story. I asked them if I could "adopt" (no pun intended!) their idea, and they said that they would be honored. You need to check them out HERE for the whole story...you will be blessed! No, you will be BLOWN AWAY by this sweet girl and what the Lord has done.
Maybe the Lord will use this idea to fund MANY adoptions for friends near and far in the future! The hurdle of finances seems like it is a big barrier to so many people that are wanting to adopt. So, maybe this will multiply and the affects will be rippling YEARS down the road as people continue to give. But, for now...are you willing to be a part of our 250 for 100 challenge? We would be honored! Email me if you are interested and I can get you some details!
Please pass this along to anyone you think would be interested at all. We are praying that God will do big things quickly so we can bring home our kiddo(s)!!!!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Mail!
Yay!! We got a UPS package today! Here is what came:
And...here is what was inside!:
So fun! Now...I am off to read!
And...here is what was inside!:
Ugh! Just look at that precious face!!! I can't wait to go through all of this paperwork in our orientation packet:
So fun! Now...I am off to read!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you tell I am excited???? We just got accepted to the Ethiopian program with All God's Children International!!!!! In talking to a couple of people, even my sweet hubby, they thought that was just a given, but for some reason for me it REALLY marked a HUGE moment for us! What still seemed like a dream now feels like reality! I got a message from the sweet woman we have been working with with AGCI saying,"Congratulations! You are officially accepted...." and I didn't even hear the rest! I was cheering and crying saying "woo-hoo! woo-hoo!" Olivia said, "Why are you sad?" I told her I was so excited I was crying because we get to adopt a brother or sister! Well, she thought that was the case all along of course, so she thought we were on our way right then! :) I WISH!
But, I am so excited to meet with our social worker and get going on everything! I am anxiously awaiting our orientation packet in the mail!!!!!
So...has been our timeline to date:
And, here is a copy of part of the email we got!:
But, I am so excited to meet with our social worker and get going on everything! I am anxiously awaiting our orientation packet in the mail!!!!!
So...has been our timeline to date:
- always...God moving our hearts toward adoption...
- April, 2009...began praying more intentionally and seeking God for His specific plan for us in adoption
- October 20, 2009...met with a woman from a local agency and God really used this meeting to lead us to Ethiopia.
- October 20-26...talked to numerous people and researched adoption agencies and programs with Ethiopia...decided to apply with All God's Children International!
- November 20, 2009...sent in all of our information to AGCI!
- November 23, 2009...they got our application, met with their team, and we realized we were missing some key letters from doctors/counselors. So...on to waiting for those!
- December 1, 2009...they got the letters, met together and accepted us!!!!!! WOO-HOOO!!!!!
And, here is a copy of part of the email we got!:
Hi Brian and Erin,
I am happy to welcome you to our agency as an applicant to our Ethiopia program! We have reviewed your application and have approved you to move forward with AGCI. I will mail your Orientation Packet today via UPS and you should be receiving it within two to four days. Enclosed are the contract agreements for the program and your next steps in becoming an adoptive parent.
Yipee!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
