Being a piece of our puzzle to help bring home our future Holland...

                Would you consider being a piece of the puzzle to bring our baby home from China?
I really, honestly, am most uncomfortable with this fundraising stuff.  I wish that we just had the extra money laying around to complete this adoption.  But, truth is, we don't.  I struggle with this because I know there are critics who think that if we don't have the money for the adoption, then what business do we have adopting?  Believe me, sometimes I wonder the same thing!  On the flip side, however, I do not believe that God only calls the wealthy to adopt; the ones who have everything figured out, who have a cushy retirement, and have no financial worries for the future.  Also, people often ask and say, "Isn't it very expensive to adopt?  If we had the money, we'd love to adopt also." Well, expensive depends on what price you put on a life. So, for us, no, it's not expensive when we are talking about a life, a precious child who was made in God's image.  Do we have that kind of "extra" cash or know where it will come from?  No.  We do know, however, that God values life and families and therefore, we believe He will provide a way.  As believers, we are called to take care of the "least of these... the widows and orphans."  We also have been adopted into God's family, not by our own doing, but by God's grace, mercy, and love.  Everyone can do their part by supporting adoption through prayer, supporting adoption ministries, financially supporting families who are adopting, and/ or by opening their hearts and homes to adoption.  So, I'm humbly asking you to consider one or more of the above options to help there be "one less" orphan in the world.
     Our family is asking for you to "sponsor" a piece of the puzzle to help be a part of bringing our child home.   We are "selling" each piece for $10 in an effort to offset our adoption expenses.  You can use the Paypal "Donate" button on this blog if you would like. We will write your name on the back of the piece or pieces that you purchase.  When we complete the puzzle, we will frame it with the back exposed and hang it in our child's room.  This way, they can always see and be reminded of who helped bring them home and into their forever family.  We truly covet your prayers and support in our adoption journey.

Here it goes....

Well, here it goes.... I never thought I would ever create a blog.  Never say never.  This blog was created to journal the journey that our family has embarked on.  Another example of "never say never." We have felt that God has called us to expand  our family through the blessing of adoption.  To some, this is a crazy notion and so far from their understanding.  That's okay. We have been blessed beyond measure and believe that our purpose in this life is to know God and to make Him known.  It definitely won't be easy adding to our hectic crazy schedules  and commitments, but we have not been called to the easy life or a life of comfort for ourselves.  We have been called to live in obedience to the God who created us, loves us, and saves us.  Josh and I have come to realize that through our many blessings we can be a family for a child who has none.  Josh can be a father to the fatherless.  God has given us room in our hearts and home for more.  We believe it is a privilege to be entrusted with our children and we desire to honor God in our family by living out the great commission.  Children are a blessing... not a burden.  More on how we arrived at this life-changing decision later.  I can only write for so long... I've never been a writer and this is stretching me tremendously!