All Aboard the Seoul Train...Adoption T-shirts are Here!

Okay guys and gals, the t-shirts are ready for ordering!! We have teamed up with an organization geared towards helping individuals and groups to raise funds for mission trips, adoption, etc. They have designed a t-shirt specially for us and our little fella to raise money for adoption expenses (i.e. country fees, travel costs, post-placement fees, etc.). The theme is "Seoul Train," as in Seoul, South Korea. You can see what they will look like on the right-hand side of my blog. The short-sleeved tees are $20 and the long-sleeved ones are $25. These can make great Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, or just a splurge to help us raise the money to travel next spring to bring Taylor home. You can order 1, 2, or 100 t-shirts...there is no limit! It is easy to order using the paypal button on the right. If you would prefer to mail the money, you can email me at amandamurry@bellsouth.net for the address to send the money to. Also, if you are not someone I may see in the next couple of months, you might want to pay the extra $5 to have the shirt(s) shipped to you.

We are going to try to gather as many orders as possible so that we can ship them quickly and have them arrive by Christmas, but we need at least 13 t-shirt orders to make up a full order and have our t-shirt start printing and shipping. So lets get going and buy those shirts so we can bring this kid home! Thanks again for all of your love and support. It means more than you know!

 

Religion that is pure and undefiled before, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

Lesson of the Week...We Can't Do This Alone

This is what I am learning this week. I hate hate asking people for money. Even growing up when I was expected to sell candy bars, restaurant coupons, etc., I cringed at the thought of asking people for their money in exchange for overpriced candy/coupons/etc. But here we are...

Originally we had thought we would be traveling this October/November but found out the Korean government reached their passport quota early and that it would be 2012 before we would travel. We were awarded an interest-free loan from Lifesong (an orphan ministry that helps fund adoptions) that does not have to be paid until May 2012; however, we are no longer receiving the tax credit we would have received (because we are not traveling this year) that was going to be used to pay back the loan. In addition, we have not been able to raise/save enough to cover the remaining expenses needed for travel and program fees. The task for us now is to raise about $14,000 so that we can afford to travel to South Korea around April of next year to bring home our little boy. For us, this means we have a lot of working and praying to do. In addition, we have put our home on the market and decided to sell our car. We are also selling random things around the house to make some extra cash and prepare us for downsizing to apt living (i.e. tools, exercise equipment, movies, picture frames, entertainment center, etc.). Basically, ebay and craigslist are our new friends ;) We are going nuts with filling out adoption grants from agencies/ministries who lovingly give to adoptive parents for financial support to make adoption possible. This is the scripture that keeps replaying in my mind...

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8

 

So this is where we request your help. I am opening a donation feature on the right-hand side of this blog for those who would like to give whatever amount they are able or feel led to give. We are so grateful for whatever you offer on ours’ and Taylor’s behalf so that he can be in our arms next spring/summer and promise to keep you updated along the way with lots of pictures during the journey ;)

 

More than financial support, we would greatly covet your prayers for Taylor and for us as we go through the next several months and are all being prepared for a HUGE transition us being parents and Tay having a new “omma and appa.” I am praying for his little heart to be at peace when we meet and during the times of attachment and bonding that will follow as we bring him home.

 

God has called us to adopt this sweet little boy from halfway around the world, and we have tried in vain to raise all of the funds on our own. We know that where God calls, He will provide, and we trust Him in this. But God has shown us that He is not calling us to do this alone. All throughout scripture, God clearly emphasizes the importance of community with brothers/sisters in Christ and how He has uniquely gifted us to support and encourage one another and to “carry each other’s burdens.”  I am starting to get it, like this week. And we are very humbled knowing we cannot do this on our own and grateful for our friends and family who love us and have a heart for the orphan.

 

Another opportunity to support our adoption will be coming up next week in the form of a t-shirt sale. Yay! I love t-shirts. We are having them specially designed for our little guy and are super excited about the idea of having people all over wearing a symbol of their love for our family. We are so blessed. Details to follow (probably next week)….

 

And here are a couple of pictures of the cutest little guy in all of Korea (sorry to any other adoptive moms reading this...This just happens to be my totally unbiased opinion ;)

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Acts 4:32-37

Nesting...

So what is the world do you do after all of the paperwork is done and everything else is outside of your control, when just waiting for 4-6 months to pass by quickly? Well, this is what we are doing...I say we...Michael and I worked together to sand and paint some shelves a hand-me-down toddler bed, but I was definitely the one organizing all of his toys with the greatest of precision ;) Sometimes Michael goes looking for me and just shakes his head when he finds me in Taylor's room playing/organizing his toys and clothes (almost all donated by wonderful family members). "I'm nesting" is always my response when I feel caught hanging out in his room again. So here is a glimpse into our lives of nesting and waiting for Taylor to come home.

And yes, I actually sat on the floor in his room and played with those mega legos. Michael even identified my masterpiece correctly...a dinosaur. This is probably the neatest his room will ever be!

And, as always, we appreciate your prayers for us as we wait longer than expected to travel to bring home our walking, talking, running, silly toddler! All in God's sovereignty and timing...